Murray State University Athletics
Rifle finishes third overall in Roger Withrow Invitational
1/30/2005 6:00:00 AM | Rifle
The Racers placed second in air rifle with a 2312 out of a possible 2400 and fifth in smallbore with a 2292 out of a possible 2400 for a third-place aggregate (combined) score of 4604 out of a possible 4800.
"We did well, but I think we'll have to work really, really hard at Sectionals to qualify for the NCAA Championships," said MSU head coach Ann Proctor. "There are just so many schools who are shooting really well right now."
Kentucky's Blue team won the invitational with an aggregate of 4618, having shot a 2309 in smallbore and a 2309 in air rifle. Memphis was second with an aggregate of 4611, including a 2278 in smallbore and a 2333 in air rifle.
Mississippi was fourth with an aggregate of 4601, including a 2290 in smallbore and a 2311 in air rifle, while Jacksonville State had an aggregate of 4596, including a 2295 in smallbore and a 2301 in air rifle. Tennessee Tech was sixth with a 4592, including a 2300 in smallbore and a 2292 in air rifle, followed by Missouri-Kansas City's 4586, which included a 2302 in smallbore and a 2284 in air rifle.
Kentucky's White team placed eighth with a 4559, including a 2273 in smallbore and a 2286 in air rifle, while Ohio State was ninth with a 4494, including a 2269 in smallbore and a 2225 in air rifle. Saint Louis was 10th with a 4465, including a 2219 in smallbore and a 2246 in air rifle. Alabama-Birmingham competed in air rifle only, scoring an 1846.
For Murray State, senior Robert Purdy fired a 572 out of a possible 600 in smallbore and a 586 out of a possible 600 in air rifle for an aggregate of 1158 out of a possible 1200.
Freshman Cameron Hicks shot a 577 in smallbore and a 576 in air rifle for an aggregate of 1153, while freshman Dan Belluzzo had a 573 in smallbore and a 574 in air rifle for an 1147. Sophomore Josiah Brooks fired a 576 in air rifle, while junior Alex Culbertson had a 570 in smallbore to complete MSU's scoring.
Brooks fired perfect 100s in both of his smallbore prone position targets, while Belluzzo had one perfect 100 target in smallbore and Purdy had a 100 in air rifle.
Unscored results for Murray State included senior Mike Gardner's 575 in smallbore (with one 100) and 556 in air rifle for an aggregate of 1131, and sophomore Brandy Boucherie, with a 556 in smallbore and 571 in air rifle for an aggregate of 1127.
Murray State will next compete at the Collegiate Sectionals, to be held at Murray State on Feb. 11-13. The scores from this and other sectionals held around the nation will determine the field for the 2005 NCAA Championships, to be held March 11-12 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
