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WVU Squares Off Against No. 15 Akron
January 16, 2016 10:30 AM | Rifle
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team squares off against Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe No. 15 Akron on Sunday, Jan. 17, inside the WVU Rifle Range. The match is set to begin at 8 a.m.
WVU (8-0, 4-0 GARC) looks to capture its fifth GARC victory of the season while in Morgantown. 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.
“I think the team is excited and ready to shoot another match,” coach Jon Hammond stated. “We had a great match on Tuesday, and the team is ready to build off that. More importantly, we have to keep focusing on the things that we have been focusing on. We are going to be busy for the next month, so this week’s match is just another step in the right direction.”
Last season, the Mountaineers outshot the Zips with a final score of 4695-4611, at the Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range, on Oct. 25, in Akron, Ohio. West Virginia earned victories in both guns, defeating then-ranked No. 14 Akron in smallbore, 2321-2297, and air rifle, 2374-2314.
Most recently, WVU tallied its eighth straight victory and 22nd win in a row at home with a 4724-4697 victory over No. 5 Alaska-Fairbanks, on Jan. 12, inside the WVU Rifle Range. The Mountaineers shot an NCAA record aggregate score of 4724 and defeated the Nanooks in both disciplines, winning smallbore, 2342-2323, and air rifle, 2382-2374.
“I think we are back in match rhythm now,” Hammond explained. “Everyone took a day off this week, and we will have a short practice tomorrow. Balancing your school work and practice schedule is the key from here on out.”
Senior Garrett Spurgeon continues to be the most consistent smallbore shooter for the team, averaging 584.875 this season, while freshman Ginny Thrasher leads the team in air rifle with a 593.75 average. Thrasher shot a career-high 598 score to tie for first in air rifle against the Nanooks on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
“Garrett and Ginny had a great performance on Tuesday, and I’m sure both of them will want to maintain those performances,” Hammond noted. “Once you shoot at such a high level, you want to be able to create consistency. You are so close to perfection that you are not going to shoot a personal best every time, but now you have to maintain consistent throughout the semester.”
The Zips have not competed in more than six weeks. On Nov. 21, Akron fell short to then-ranked No. 11 Nebraska, 4612-4670, inside the NIU Rifle Range. Nebraska earned victories in both guns, defeating Akron in smallbore, 2310-2299, and air rifle, 2360-2313.
WVU owns a 13-0 all-time series record over Akron.
A link for live scores is available at WVUsports.com.
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