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WVU Solid at Air Gun Championships
December 04, 2015 09:30 PM | Rifle
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team enjoyed a strong showing on the first day of the USA Shooting Winter Airgun Championships, held today at the Olympic Training Center, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“We had a good first day with some great individual performances,” Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. “I’m looking forward to watching the team improve on these marks tomorrow.”
Three Mountaineers advanced to the finals, with freshman Ginny Thrasher reaching the podium, as she placed second in the 10m air rifle women’s junior competition, shooting 412.8 in the open relay and 202.7 in the final, earning seven additional points for her finish. Of note, Thrasher’s relay score was good enough for a 14th-place overall finish.
Sophomore Elizabeth Gratz shot 415.0 in the 10m air rifle women’s open relay and advanced to the final. She earned three additional points with a sixth place, 122.2 showing.
Senior Garrett Spurgeon advanced to the 10m air rifle men’s final, as he shot 622.0 in the open relay, the fourth-best score of the day. He finished fifth in the final with a 144.1 mark, earning him four additional points.
Senior Patrick Sunderman just missed the men’s final, shooting 619.7, the last non-qualifying score and good enough for 10th place. Junior Jean-Pierre Lucas shot 616.6 and placed 21st, and freshman Will Anti placed 30th overall with a 613.2 mark. Anti also finished ninth in the junior division, one spot short of qualifying for the junior men’s final.
Senior Meelis Kiisk put forth a solid effort today, shooting the top men’s mark with a 624.7 score. As he is classified as a “visitor” shooter, he was ineligible for the final and finished ninth overall. Classmate Michael Bamsey finished with a 608.8 mark.
“Meelis had an excellent match and shot a personal-best international score,” Hammond explained.”
Of note, graduate assistant Daniel Hermsmeier shot 618.3 and finished 16th overall.
The Mountaineers will return to the range Saturday for Day 2 of the championship. The annual tournament is serving as one of two trials for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Air Rifle Team.
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