WVU Rifle Ranked No. 1
February 10, 2009 03:27 PM | General
February 10, 2009
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| Jon Hammond |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the first time in over a decade, the West Virginia University rifle team is ranked No. 1 on the pre-qualifier College Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) Poll, as announced Feb. 9.
The Mountaineers (10-1 overall, 5-1 GARC) opened the season at the No. 2 spot, and maintained that rank on the mid-season poll. WVU is still the only Division I team this season to shoot 4670-plus, having shot a school record 4677 in the win over NC State on Jan. 18.
The squad is the first No. 1 WVU ranked team since the` football program earned the ranking on Nov. 25, 2007.
“It’s really nice to earn the No. 1 ranking,” says Coach Jon Hammond. “The team’s main focus is still winning the remaining matches this season, but this is a great achievement and I hope to remain at the No. 1 spot for the rest of the year.”
WVU earned the No. 1 ranking on the strength of its 4654.27 season average. The team pushed ahead to No. 1 in smallbore rankings (2308.18 average) and remains at No. 2 in air rifle rankings (2346.09 average).
“The team has shot really well since the semester break,” Hammond continues. “Since that break, everyone has been maintaining good form through each match and is much more focused.”
Redshirt-junior Bryant Wallizer continues to pace the Mountaineers in air rifle, leading the team with a 588.91 average through 11 matches. Sophomore Kyle Smith leads the smallbore crew with a 579.91 average, while classmate Andy Lamson holds a team best 1164.55 aggregate average.
The Mountaineers jumped previous No. 1 Kentucky (4649.33 average), which ranks No. 2. WVU fell to the Wildcats, 4649-4639, in Lexington on Nov. 15. Kentucky owns the No. 1 air rifle rank with a 2348.00 average.
Alaska-Fairbanks (4642.33 average) is ranked No. 3. WVU picked up its first victory since 1991 over the three-time defending NCAA champion Nanooks on Jan. 25, winning 4653-4634.
TCU is ranked No. 4 (4621.50 average), while Jacksonville State is No. 5 (4617.45 average).
The Mountaineers return to the range this Saturday, Feb. 14, and host NC State in a NCAA qualifying match. Competition is set to begin at 8 a.m., and fans are encouraged to attend throughout the day.
