Rifle: 2008-09 Schedule Announced
August 19, 2008 03:32 PM | General
August 19, 2008
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| Brandi Eskew |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University rifle Head Coach Jon Hammond has announced the 2008-09 rifle schedule.
The Mountaineers’ schedule features six home matches, highlighted once again by a January meeting with three-time defending National Champion Alaska-Fairbanks. WVU narrowly lost to the Nanooks last year 4653-4626. The rematch is scheduled for Jan. 25.
The squad has a chance to avenge all three of its losses from an 8-3 2007-08 season, as it travels to Army on Oct. 18 and Kentucky on Nov. 15.
“We got beat by three teams last year and we are going to look to avenge those,” says Hammond. “I think, ultimately, Alaska coming in to town is going to be a huge match, but traveling to both Army and Kentucky will be tough as well.”
The Mountaineers open with Ohio State on Oct. 4 and Morehead State on Oct. 5. After its trip to West Point, N.Y., to battle both Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foes the Black Knights and Ole Miss, the team will welcome TCU, a new addition to its slate of opponents, on Oct. 25.
“TCU has built a great program over the last three, four years,” Hammond says. “It’s nice to have them on the schedule. That will be a really tough match, and I’m interested to see how it goes.”
WVU returns to GARC play in November with its matches against the Wildcats and Memphis in Lexington, Ky., before returning to the USA Shooting 3XAir Match Dec. 5-8 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Mountaineers conclude GARC competition with visits from Nebraska and NC State on Jan. 17 and 18, respectively, before hosting the Nanooks. The team will then compete in a NCAA Championships qualifying match on Feb. 14. An opponent has yet to be determined.
WVU’s postseason play begins with the GARC Championships Feb. 28-March 1 in Oxford, Miss. The Mountaineers finished third at last season’s championships with 4626 points.
The squad will conclude the season at the NCAA Championships March 14-15 at a site yet to be named. The Mountaineers returned to the meet last season after a six-year absence and finished in sixth place with a team aggregate score of 4616.
“Ultimately, we want to peak this season in February and March when qualifiers, the conference championships and the NCAA Championships take place,” explains Hammond. “We want to be at a level where we know we can compete with any team out there.”
The squad returns four All-Americans this season, including sophomore first team honoree Brandi Eskew. Classmates Tommy Santelli and Kyle Smith, both second team honorees, and Andy Lamson, an honorable mention All-America, join Eskew on an underclassman-laden roster.
2008-09 WVU Rifle Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Oct. 4 OHIO STATE 8 a.m.
Oct. 5 MOREHEAD STATE 8 a.m.
Oct. 11 ALUMNI MATCH 2 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Army* 8 a.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Ole Miss*$ 8 a.m.
Oct. 25 TCU 8 a.m.
Nov. 15 at Kentucky* 8 a.m.
Nov. 16 vs. Memphis*# 8 a.m.
Dec. 5-8 3xAir^ All Day
Jan. 17 NEBRASKA* 8 a.m.
Jan. 18 NC State* 8 a.m.
Jan. 25 ALASKA-FAIRBANKS 8 a.m.
Feb. 14 NCAA Qualifiers (TBA) TBA
Feb. 28-March 1 GARC Championship~ All Day
March 14-15 NCAA Championship (TBA) All Day
* - GARC Match
$ - West Point, N.Y.
^ - Colorado Springs, Colo.
# - Lexington, Ky.
~ - Oxford, Miss.
All times Eastern and subject to change
