Rifle: WVU Returns to Top Spot
February 10, 2010 03:17 PM | General
February 10, 2010
 |
||
| Jon Hammond |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After a short stint at No. 2, the West Virginia University rifle team has re-earned the No. 1 ranking on the College Rifle Coaches Association Poll, as announced today.
Today’s ranking is based on the Mountaineers’ (9-0, 5-0 GARC) three-highest match scores; the scores are composed of the team’s best home score, and best two road scores from different ranges.
WVU leapfrogs Alaska-Fairbanks with a 4690.33 average. The Nanooks are ranked second with a 4681.33 average. The Mountaineers defeated then-No. 1 UAF, 4697-4670, on Jan. 21, at the WVU Rifle Range; WVU’s winning score is the highest-collegiate combined total since the NCAA implemented a 60-shot course at the onset of the 2004-05 season.
“It’s nice to be ranked No. 1 again,” fourth-year coach Jon Hammond says. “We’ve shot some great scores lately, with the win over Alaska-Fairbanks serving as a high point for our team. This ranking will definitely serve as a confidence and morale boost through the final month of the season.
“Rankings, though, are not our full focus right now. We are more focused on shooting three more good matches and ending the year strong at the national championships.”
Kentucky, the reigning Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) champions, rank third (4671.33), while TCU drops one to No. 4 (4664.00) and Air Force checks in at No. 5 (4624.33).
WVU opened the season with the No. 1 ranking after winning its nation-best 14th NCAA title last March.
The 2001 Mountaineer squad was the last team to conclude the regular season undefeated; that squad finished the year at 11-0.
WVU will play host to No. 7 Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8 a.m., at the WVU Rifle Range. The match will serve as an NCAA qualifier. Scores from Saturday will be added to the team’s current average, and the top eight teams from this weekend’s qualifiers will advance to the 2010 NCAA Championships.
