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No. 1 WVU Returns to Road
October 30, 2015 12:11 PM | Rifle
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team takes to the road this weekend for a pair of Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) matches.
The Mountaineers (2-0, 1-0 GARC) open the trip at No. 9 Memphis’ Global Training Academy on Saturday, Oct. 31. The squad will then travel to Mississippi for a match at the Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center on Sunday, Nov. 1. Both matches will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
WVU returns to competition following a two-week break. The six-time reigning GARC champion Mountaineers opened the 2015-16 season with a 2-0 showing at Air Force’s Falcon Rifle Range in Colorado Springs, Colorado, defeating then-No. 9 Air Force, 4705-4680, on Oct. 10, and No. 6 Nebraska, 4714-4654, on Oct. 11.
“Those first matches were really good chances for us to test ourselves in match situations after training all preseason,” said Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond. “That weekend in Colorado gave us an indication of where we stood and what we need to work on. We’re still laying the foundation for the season and working on technique.
“The plan is to continue our development this weekend. These two matches will be a chance for our younger athletes to get an opportunity to shoot in different ranges, including the venue for the GARC Championships (Mississippi’s range). We’re all looking forward to gaining great experience this weekend and shooting in different environments.”
The Mountaineers are 9-2 all-time against the Tigers and 10-3 against the Rebels.
WVU’s season-high score of 4714 is the best mark shot by any NCAA team this year; No.1-ranked Murray State also shot the total in a tri-match against Morehead State and Jacksonville State on Oct. 24.
A pair of seniors pace WVU, with Michael Bamsey owning a 586 smallbore season average, and Garrett Spurgeon boasting a 594.5 air rifle average.
Most recently, the Tigers fell to Nebraska, 4671-4654, on Oct. 24, in Fort Worth, Texas. Memphis boasts a season-high score of 4668, tallied at the Mississippi Open on Sept. 30.
The Rebels are coming off a 4603 showing in a loss at Kentucky (4697) on Oct. 24. Ole Miss also posted a season-high score at the Mississippi Open, shooting 4635.
If live score links become available, they will be posted at WVUsports.com.
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