Rifle: Mountaineers Sign Three Exciting Recruits
November 16, 2006 10:55 AM | General
November 16, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –The West Virginia University rifle team signed three exciting prospects to its team today. Tommy Santelli, Brandi Eskew and Andy Lamson will join the Mountaineer squad for the 2007-08 season.
Santelli will bring a great deal of experience to the team. The Washington, Pa., native attended the ISSF World Shooting Championships in July where he was named the ninth best shooter in the world in three-position rifle in the junior (U21) section. Santelli also travels with the United States National team and will compete with them in an airgun match held in the Czech Republic later this month.
“Tommy comes in with a huge amount of experience,” said WVU coach Jon Hammond. “He’s been to the World Championships, Junior Olympics, Nationals and has a lot of international experience. We’re really excited about that.”
Eskew will contribute Junior Olympic and state championship experience to the West Virginia team. The West Virginia native has made appearances at the Junior Olympics in Colorado three times. Last year she was awarded the silver medal in the intermediate junior category. Eskew has also competed in the three position air rifle event at nationals for four years. Two years ago, the talented shooter placed fourth.
Lamson brings the benefit of Junior Olympic and state championship experience as well as many trips to Nationals to the Mountaineer team. The Colechester, Vt., native was named the State Junior Champion in the three position smallbore event in 2006. He has five years of experience at the Junior Olympics (2002-06) and has also competed five times at the USA Shooting Nationals. Lamson won the bronze medal in smallbore (J2) at the 2006 Junior Olympics. The skilled shooter has also competed as a member of the US Junior Team in the William Drew Cup in 2004 and 2006.
“Brandi and Andy both have a great deal of experience as well,” said Hammond. “I think they’ve both got a lot of talent and should be ready to shoot some great scores right from the start. All three recruits are shooting great scores and have a lot of potential. I'm excited about having all three on the team next year.”
