MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team rode a strong air rifle showing to a 4719-4704 victory at No. 5 Alaska-Fairbanks today, at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range in Fairbanks, Alaska.
 
For the second straight day, the Mountaineers (11-0, 7-0 GARC) swept the discipline team wins, defeating the Nanooks (10-1, 6-0 PRC) in smallbore, 2333-2332, and air rifle, 2386-2372.
 
Today's performance follows the Mountaineers' 4718-4669 victory over No. 9 Mississippi yesterday afternoon at Tanana Valley Sportsmen's Association, also in Fairbanks.
 
"This was a pretty steady weekend," Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. "Air rifle was really strong today, and we had a good, solid performance. There is a lot to learn and take from this weekend, and everyone still has things they want to work on as the season progresses.
 
"The consistency this weekend was really pleasing. We were on the road, shooting in two different ranges, and we put out similar totals with similar performances. They're all working hard, and there's things we want to do better, but as a team and a unit, they were really strong this weekend."
 
For the second straight match, junior Ginny Thrasher led the way in smallbore, shooting a winning 591 (196 kneeling, 197 prone, 198 standing). Sophomore Morgan Phillips finished in second with a 588 mark, and sophomore Milica Babic finished seventh overall with a 579 total, including a program-record 200 prone showing.
 
Redshirt-freshman Noah Barker finished in eighth place with a career-high 578, while junior Will Anti shot 577 and tied for ninth place. Additionally, freshman Sarah Osborn shot 575, senior Elizabeth Gratz tallied 574 and sophomore Jack Anderson shot 557.
 
Sagen Maddalena and J.T. Schnering paced the Nanooks with third place, 586 marks.
 
Babic shot 598 (100-100-100-99-100-99) air rifle and tied Maddalena for the win. Gratz finished third with a 597 total, while Thrasher shot 596 and placed fourth. Phillips finished in fifth place with a 595 total, and Barker shot a career-high 590 and landed in eighth place.
 
"Today was a great showing for Noah," Hammond added. "He's been working hard, and today he showed his progress and how much he's learning about the sport."
 
Anti added a 586 mark, and Anderson shot 583.
 
Five Mountaineers counted toward the team's scores: Babic, Gratz, Osborn, Phillips and Thrasher.
 
With the win, the Mountaineers improve to 13-7 all-time against the Nanooks.
 
WVU next shoots at Navy on Saturday, Jan. 27, with action set to begin at 8 a.m.