Rifle: Mountaineers Maintain No. 2 CRCA Ranking
December 22, 2008 11:43 AM | General
December 22, 2008
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| Jon Hammond |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University rifle squad is ranked second in the College Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) Mid-Season Rankings, as announced Dec. 15. The Mountaineers (6-1 overall, 3-1 GARC)) maintained their previous ranking, as the team was also ranked No. 2 in the CRCA Preseason Poll.
WVU trails Kentucky and is ranked ahead of No. 3 Alaska-Fairbanks, winners of the last three NCAA Championships and 10 titles overall, No. 4 TCU and No. 5 U.S. Naval Academy. The Wildcats are the only team to defeat the Mountaineers this season, 4649-4639, on Nov. 15, in Lexington, Ky. WVU defeated TCU, 4666-4626, in Morgantown on Oct. 25, and host Alaska-Fairbanks on Jan. 25 at 8 a.m.
"It's a good ranking. We know we can compete with Kentucky and aren't that far away from the No. 1 team," says Coach Jon Hammond. "It's also a surprise to be ranked ahead of Alaska. The home match with them in January is going to be a great match.
"This ranking shows we are right up there with the top teams in the country and we can compete with anyone. We just need to keep working hard so we can go in to post-season play strong and with confidence."
At the mid-season break, the Mountaineers hold the second-best smallbore average (2309.1) and second-best air rifle average (2341.0).
The Mountaineers opened the 2008-09 season strong, winning their first five matches before losing to Kentucky. The start was the squad's best since the team's 8-0 start to the 2003 season.
WVU last defeated No. 13 Memphis, 4656-4592, in Lexington, on Nov. 16. The squad resumes action on Jan. 17 and hosts Nebraska at the WVU Rifle Range at 8 a.m. Fans are encouraged to attend throughout the day, as the match will last in to the afternoon.
