Rifle: No. 1 WVU Welcomes No. 2 TCU
October 23, 2010 11:00 AM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team plays host to No. 2-ranked and reigning NCAA champion TCU on Sunday, Oct. 24, at the WVU Rifle Range, at 8 a.m.
Sunday’s shoulder-to-shoulder match will be the first between the Mountaineers (1-0) and the Horned Frogs (1-0) in two years, with WVU owning a 3-0 series advantage. Additionally, TCU is the first of three former national champion teams WVU will face this season.
A win tomorrow for the Mountaineers would extend their regular-season win streak to 19 matches.
“This match is definitely going to be our strongest test this semester,” says fifth-year Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond. “TCU comes in after shooting a program-best score, and they are a confident team. Though this weekend’s outcome won’t have a huge impact on the overall season, we still want to win. It’s going to be tough, but a good test.”
The Mountaineers will be without two-time National Rifle Association first team All-American Nicco Campriani, as the reigning air rifle world champion will be shooting at the 2010 European Championship in Munich, Germany.
“Tomorrow will be a tough out without Nicco, but it’s also a good chance for the rest of the team to step up and put in a good performance,” Hammond says.
WVU opened its season on Oct. 16 with a 4676-4570 win over No. 14 Ohio State. The Mountaineers defeated the Buckeyes in air rifle (2355-2306) and smallbore (2321-2264).
Campriani paced the Mountaineers, finishing first overall (1188) and winning air rifle (597) and smallbore (591). Classmate Kyle Smith shot the only school record of the day with a 200 prone score.
The Horned Frogs have opened their season strong, winning the Ole Miss Invitational (4676) and defeating UTEP (4687-4600). TCU’s score against the Miners is a program best and the top NCAA score shot this season.
In addition to being without Campriani tomorrow, the Mountaineers also will not have the services of sophomore newcomer Petra Zublasing. The Appiano, Italy, native will be eligible to compete in January 2011.
Tomorrow’s match is expected to play into the afternoon.
2026 Mountaineer Invitational Preview
Thursday, April 09
Nate Gabriel | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 8
Thursday, April 09
Coach Rod West | April 8
Thursday, April 09
