MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team closes the fall semester Saturday, Nov. 21, as it plays host to nonconference No. 7 Ohio State at the WVU Rifle Range. The match is set to begin at 8 a.m.

 

WVU (6-0, 4-0 GARC) looks to tally its seventh straight victory and continue its win streak at home. Fans are encouraged to sit inside the range to watch the competition. The WVU Rifle Range is located directly behind the WVU Coliseum near the WVU Natatorium.

 

“It’s another match. It’s another competition. It’s another chance for the team to challenge themselves with the things that they have been working on,” said coach Jon Hammond. “A lot of it deals with their mental discipline and shot selection.

 

“We have been in match routine for the last month or so, and every match is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to learn things and test ourselves. That is the main objective for this weekend. If we do all of those things, then we will have a good performance on Saturday.”

 

Last season, the Mountaineers outshot the Buckeyes 4695-4652, on Oct. 26, at the Hugh W. Wylie Range. They earned victories in both guns, defeating then-ranked No. 10 Ohio State in smallbore, 2325-2303, and air rifle, 2370-2349.

 

Most recently, WVU recorded a 4709-4653 win over No. 9 Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe Army at the WVU Rifle Range, on Nov. 14. West Virginia outshot Army in both disciplines, besting the Black Knights in air rifle, 2363-2336, and smallbore, 2346-2317.

 

Junior Jean-Pierre Lucas paces WVU with a 585.2 smallbore season average, while seniors Garrett Spurgeon and Patrick Sunderman, and freshman Ginny Thrasher all boast a 592.5 air rifle average.

 

In its last weekend of competition, Ohio State hosted the Buckeye Open, on Nov. 14-15, at the Hugh. W. Wylie Range. OSU faced TCU and lost 4695-4658, on Nov. 15. The Horned Frogs bested the Buckeyes in smallbore, 2326-2309, and air rifle, 2369-2349.

 

WVU owns a perfect 40-0 all-time series record with the Buckeyes.

 

“After this, they will stay in match mode for the Olympic Trials, which take place right after Thanksgiving,” Hammond noted. “If anything, this match is prep work for those trials, and this will give them a good opportunity to work on their technique.”

 

A link for live scores is available at WVUsports.com.