Rifle: No. 2 WVU Nabs NCAA No. 1 Score
January 18, 2009 06:22 PM | General
January 18, 2009
| #18 NC State 4493, #2 West Virginia 4677 WVU Rifle Range Morgantown, w.va |
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Match Results |
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| Stat Comparison | ||||||||
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| Air Rifle | 2282 | 2359 | ||||||
| Small Bore | 2211 | 2318 | ||||||
| Aggregate | 4493 | 4677 | ||||||
| Top WVU Shooters | ||||||||
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 2 West Virginia rifle team shot a nation best and school record 4677 team score to defeat visiting NC State, 4677-4493, this evening at the WVU Rifle Range.
No other Division I rifle team has shot better than 4670 this season. No. 1 Kentucky used that score to defeat Nebraska, 4670-4606, on Oct. 25, in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Mountaineers (8-1 overall, 5-1 GARC) dominated the Wolfpack in both air rifle and smallbore, 2359-2282 and 2318-2211, respectively. WVU’s air rifle score is a school record, while its smallbore score is one-point short of the school record.
WVU’s non-scoring team was also exceptionally strong, shooting 2308 in smallbore and 2327 in air rifle for a 4635 aggregate score.
“The results the team achieved today are on par for what I expected to see after the break,” says Coach Jon Hammond. “Everyone had a solid day with good, consistent scoring.
“Most especially, I think the results proved the type of depth we have on this team. That is going to be the biggest help as we continue this season.”
Junior Bryant Wallizer continued his post-winter break scoring spree, as he shot personal-bests and season-highs in both air rifle (593) and smallbore (579). The Little Orleans, Md., native totaled 1172 points on the day, which not only matches a school record achieved by sophomore Tommy Santelli in the TCU win on Oct. 25, but also sets a personal- and season-best mark for Wallizer.
“Bryant proved this weekend what he is capable of doing,” Hammond says. “The two-month break really paid off for him, and he is back in the range shooting to form. His smallbore score is slowing improving, especially his kneeling execution. Hopefully this weekend will act as a confidence builder for the rest of the season.”
Sophomore Brandi Eskew paced the Mountaineers in smallbore for the second-straight match, shooting 582, including matching 197 scores in prone and kneeling.
Classmate Andy Lamson matched a school record prone score of 200 on his way to totaling 578 smallbore points, while senior Paul Miller finished seventh on the squad with 576 points, one point short of a personal-best and season-high.
Santelli and classmate Kyle Smith had a strong day in air rifle, each shooting 586. Smith’s score is both a personal-best and season-high, while Santelli’s is one point short of his personal-best individual mark.
Noel Keck led NC State with an 1126 aggregate score.
A battle with the three-time defending and 10-time overall NCAA champion Alaska-Fairbanks looms next for the Mountaineers, as the No. 3 Nanooks visit the WVU Rifle Range on Sunday, Jan. 25. The match between two of the nation’s top teams begins at 8 a.m. Fans are encouraged to attend the throughout the day, as play will progress into the afternoon.
