Murray State University Athletics
Racers finish fourth in Sectionals, longest NCAA streak threatened
2/13/2005 6:00:00 AM | Rifle
Murray State has qualified for every NCAA Rifle Championships since their inception in 1980, a string of 25 qualifications for a Championships that usually takes in seven or eight teams.
In the Sectionals, the Racers placed fourth in air rifle with a 2315 out of a possible 2400, fifth in smallbore with a 2278 out of a possible 2400 and fourth in the aggregate (smallbore and air rifle combined) with a 4593 out of a possible 4800.
Jacksonville State had the highest aggregate with a 4657. Kentucky was second at 4633, followed by Memphis at 4621, Murray State at 4593, Tennessee Tech at 4582, Mississippi at 4576, Tennessee-Martin at 4559, Austin Peay (air rifle only) at 2144, Arkansas (air rifle only) at 2055 and Alabama-Birmingham (air rifle only) at 1903.
In air rifle, Jacksonville State was first at 2334, followed by Memphis at 2334, Kentucky at 2329, Murray State at 2315, Tennessee Tech at 2314, Mississippi at 2293 and Tennessee-Martin at 2291.
In smallbore, Jacksonville State placed first at 2323, followed by Kentucky at 2304, Memphis at 2287, Mississippi at 2283, Murray State at 2278, Tennessee Tech at 2268 and Tennessee-Martin at 2268.
"We did well, but we could have done better," said MSU coach Ann Proctor. "It was a tough match, and there was a lot of pressure involved. Now, we have to wait and see how things turned out with the rest of the country."
If MSU's score in air rifle or smallbore places among the top eight from the other collegiate sectionals, the team will qualify for the NCAA Championships, to be held March 11-12 at Colorado Springs, Colo.
Individually form Murray State, in air rifle, Cameron Hicks placed fifth with a 587 out of a possible 600, with one 100 and one 99 in the six targets. Robert Purdy shot a 580, while Alex Culbertson fired a 576 with a 100 and Dan Beluzzo fired a 572.
Non-scoring Racers in air rifle included Brandi Boucherie, who shot a 580 with a 100 and one 99, Josiah Brooks, who shot a 566, and Mike Gardner, who shot a 548.
In smallbore, Purdy fired a 573 with 100's in both targets in the prone position, while Culbertson also fired a 573. Hicks shot a 568 with two 99's in the prone position, while Brooks shot a 564 with a 100 and a 99 in the prone position.
Non-scoring Racers in smallbore included Beluzzo, with a 583 (including one 99), Gardner, with a 569 (including a 99) and Boucherie, who shot a 564 (including a 99).
Murray State next competes at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, held Feb. 19-20 in Morehead, Ky.
