No. 1 Rifle Concludes Weekend With Win
October 26, 2014 07:17 PM | General
The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University recorded its second victory of the weekend and third of the season against No. 10 Ohio State, today, 4695-4652, at the Hugh W. Wylie Range.
The Mountaineers (3-0, 1-0 GARC) defeated the Buckeyes in both guns, winning smallbore 2325-2303 and air rifle 2370-2349.
“We had a very similar day to yesterday,” said coach Jon Hammond. “I’m pleased with how they shot today. It was a new range for a lot of them, and they handled the environment really well. We had solid numbers across the board.”
Freshman Elizabeth Gratz placed first in smallbore with a 583 score (191 kneeling, 198 standing, 194 prone) and second in air rifle with a 595 mark. Both scores were career highs.
“Elizabeth is having a great start to the season,” Hammond said. “I think she had a great weekend in the different ranges. The way she shot today and yesterday shows a lot of maturity. I’m not really surprised with the way she is shooting, but I’m pleased.”
In smallbore, junior Patrick Sunderman placed second with a 582 mark, a season high. Senior Ziva Dvorsak and OSU’s Mark Matheny tied for third with 581 scores, while juniors Michael Bamsey and Garrett Spurgeon tied for fifth with 580.
Bamsey, Gratz, senior Thomas Kyanko (578), Spurgeon and Sunderman made up the Mountaineer smallbore counting squad.
Placing first in air rifle, Dvorsak shot a 598 mark, matching her career high. Bamsey followed Gratz’s second-place finish with a third-place, 594 score. Senior Maren Prediger placed fourth with 592, while Kyanko and OSU’s Matheny tied for fifth, shooting 589.
The air rifle counting squad included: Bamsey, Gratz, Kyanko, Prediger and Sunderman (585).
“There will be a lot of areas that individually they will work on before the next match,” said Hammond. We will get back in the range and work on small details. Overall, I think we’re doing pretty well.”
The Mountaineers will return to the WVU Rifle Range in two weeks, taking on GARC foe No. 8 Memphis on Saturday, Nov. 8.
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