Rifle: WVU Picked Second in GARC Preseason Poll
September 10, 2008 03:13 PM | General
September 10, 2008
 |
||
| Brandi Eskew |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University’s rifle squad has been ranked second in the 2008-09 Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) Preseason Coaches Poll, announced yesterday. Additionally, All-Americans Brandi Eskew, Bryant Wallizer and Tommy Santelli were named to the All-GARC Watch Lists.
“It’s great to receive such a high preseason ranking,” says Head Coach Jon Hammond. “I think the team is definitely going to be stronger this season, and that expectation is reflected in the rankings.”
The Mountaineers trail Kentucky, picked first in the conference, and are one place ahead of defending-champion Army, picked third. WVU finished in third place at the 2008 GARC Championship and in sixth place at the 2008 NCAA Championships, the team’s first appearance at the national match in six years.
WVU’s third-place finish last season was its highest conference ending since the 2003 championship when the squad took second place.
In individual watch lists, sophomore Eskew, a 2008 NRA First Team Smallbore All-American, is ranked sixth in smallbore, ninth in air rifle and fifth in individual combined watch lists. The Petersburg, W.Va., native, named to the All-GARC smallbore and combined score second teams at the conclusion of last season, earned seventh place in air rifle and eighth place in smallbore at the 2008 conference championship.
Redshirt junior Wallizer, a Murray State transfer, opens his Mountaineer career with two years of eligibility remaining. A 2006 and 2007 NRA Air Rifle All-American, Wallizer, a Little Orleans, Md., native, ranks seventh in smallbore and air rifle, and sixth in individual combined watch list.
Sophomore Santelli is the third Mountaineer recognized on the conference watch lists and ranks eighth in smallbore and 10th in individual combined. A 2008 NRA Smallbore Second Team All-American, the Prosperity, Pa., native was the only WVU shooter represented on the 2007 lists and finished the year with second-team smallbore All-GARC honors.
“I’m pleased that Eskew, Wallizer and Santelli are on the conference watch lists,” Hammond says. “Our team knows what each of these shooters can do, and this recognition shows that the other coaches have respect for them as well.”
Four additional Mountaineers received votes towards preseason recognition – sophomores Kyle Smith (smallbore) and Andy Lamson (air rifle), and freshmen Justin Pentz (smallbore, individual combined) and Michael Kulbacki (air rifle).
“Justin and Michael were widely acknowledged as two of the top recruits in the country,” says Hammond. “They have shown their skills and what they can each bring to the team. Hopefully they can have an impact on this season’s squad. Most importantly, they have a great team to learn under.”
WVU opens its 2008-09 season on Oct. 4 against Ohio State at the Mountaineer Rifle Range at 8 a.m. The team then plays host to Morehead State the following day, also at 8 a.m. Fans are encouraged to stop in and see the squad in action, as competition is expected to last all day.
