MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 2-ranked West Virginia University rifle team opened its weekend In West Point, New York, with a 4712-4658 win over host Army West Point this afternoon inside Tronsrue Marksmanship Center.
 
The Mountaineers' (7-0, 4-0 GARC) aggregate total matches their season high, first shot just six days ago in wins over No. 2 Air Force and No. 9 Nebraska at the WVU Coliseum.
 
WVU swept the Black Knights (2-2, 2-1 GARC), winning smallbore, 2335-2307, and air rifle, 2377-2351.
 
"There were a lot of strong performances today in smallbore and air rifle," said Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond. "I liked the resiliency and calmness of the team today. Many of them had a few moments of struggles, but they all stayed calm and positive and produced mature performances."
 
Senior Ginny Thrasher tied Army's Payne Nunn for first place in smallbore, shooting 586 (193 kneeling, 197 prone, 196 standing). Junior Milica Babic shot a season-best 597 (99-99-100-100-99-100) air rifle for the fifth time this season and finished first overall.
 
Sophomore Sarah Osborn matched her season-high smallbore score of 585 and finished in third place, while junior Morgan Phillips finished fourth with a 584 mark. Of note, Phillips matched the program's prone record of 200.
 
Senior Will Anti shot a season-high 581 and placed fifth, while freshman Jared Eddy placed sixth with a 580 total. Babic finished tied for seventh place with a 579 score.
 
In air rifle, Thrasher finished in second place with a 595 total. For the third consecutive competition, Eddy shot a career best in air rifle, totaling 593 and finishing third overall.
 
"Jared again had a personal best in air rifle with a really steady match," said Hammond. "He's improving week-to-week."
 
Osborn placed fourth with a 592 total, while sophomore David Koenders shot 588 and finished in seventh place. Anti shot 585 for a ninth-place finish, and sophomore Noah Barker placed 13th overall with a 580.
 
"All together, there were a lot of positive moments for everyone today that they can carry into tomorrow's match," added Hammond.
 
Four Mountaineers counted toward both team scores: Babic, Eddy, Osborn and Thrasher. Anti shot toward the team's air rifle total, and Phillips contributed to WVU's smallbore score.
 
With the win, WVU improves to 39-10 all-time against Army West Point.
 
The Mountaineers return to Tronsrue Marksmanship Center Sunday, Oct. 28, for a match against Coast Guard at 9 a.m.