Rifle: No. 2 WVU Dominate at Winthrow Invite
January 31, 2010 09:46 PM | General
January 31, 2010
MATCH RESULTS
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| Justin Pentz |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 2-ranked West Virginia University rifle team put forth another dominate performance and finished first overall at the Winthrow Invitational today in Murray, Ky.
The Mountaineers (9-0, 5-0 GARC) split into two squads, with the gold team shooting 2319 smallbore and 2359 air gun for an invitational-best 4678. The blue team was also strong, shooting 2312 smallbore and 2326 air gun for a second-place 4638 showing.
“This weekend was very long for the team, but also a great experience,” fourth-year coach Jon Hammond says. “I know the squad was tired after shooting yesterday and traveling overnight, but everyone pulled together and still gave a good effort. “
The host Racers finished third to both WVU squads with an aggregate score of 4632, while Ohio State finished fourth (4600) and Jacksonville State placed fifth (4582).
Junior transfer Nicco Campriani continues to set records, as he shot a school-best 596 air gun, 593 smallbore and 1189 combined score; all three marks are invitational-bests.
The Florence, Italy, native has proved unstoppable in air gun, as he achieved the 596 score in each of the last three matches. Additionally, his smallbore total is not only the top score ever shot in the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, but it is also believed to be the best-ever collegiate mark. Campriani’s aggregate score bests the 1187 he shot yesterday.
“This weekend was great for Nicco,” says Hammond. “He shot consistently in both matches and stayed focused in new ranges.”
Sophomore Justin Pentz finished second for WVU with a person-best 1171 combined score. The DuBois, Pa., native also shot 583 smallbore and 588 air gun and finished third and fifth, respectively.
Juniors Tommy Santelli and Brandi Eskew joined Pentz in the smallbore top five, as they shot 579 and 578, respectively, and finished fourth and fifth.
Also shooting well in air gun were sophomore Michael Kulbacki and junior Andy Lamson, as they respectively finished third (591) and fourth (589).
Due to inclement weather, Memphis was not able to travel to today’s invitational. The previously scheduled match between the Mountaineers and Tigers will be rescheduled within the next few weeks, and the results will help determine the 2010 Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) regular-season champion.
The Mountaineers now break from action for the next two weeks and will return to the WVU Rifle Range to play host to Nebraska on Feb. 13. The NCAA qualifying match will begin at 8 a.m.
