Racers win Newkirk Invitational

Sunday, January 22

Cookeville, Tenn.

TBA

Murray State

Newkirk Invitational

1/23/2006 6:00:00 AM | Rifle

The Murray State rifle team took another step toward qualifying for the NCAA Championships by winning the Newkirk Invitational on Sunday in Cookeville, Tenn. MSU scored 4659 points, while Jacksonville State had 4644, Memphis had 4589 and host Tennessee Tech had 4523.

Murray State used a strong showing in smallbore to push ahead, scoring a 2317 out of a possible 2400 points. Jacksonville State had a 2305, while Memphis had a 2274 and Tennessee Tech had a 2249.

The Racers were led in smallbore by sophomore Cameron Hicks, who fired a 586 out of a possible 600, including one perfect 100 and two 99s in the six targets. Sophomore Dan Belluzzo had a 580 with three 99s, while freshman Bryant Wallizer had a 576 with one 99, and junior Josiah Brooks had a 575 with a 100.

MSU's top score in the air rifle competition sealed the match win, as the Racers scored a 2342 out of a possible 2400. Jacksonville State had a 2339, while Memphis had a 2315, Tennessee Tech had a 2274 and Austin Peay -- which competed in air rifle only -- had a 2144.

Murray State was led in air rifle by senior Alex Culbertson, who scored a 590 out of a possible 600 with one perfect 100 and a 99 in the six targets. Senior Brandy Boucherie scored a 587 with two 99s, while Hicks had a 583 and Wallizer had a 582 with a 100 and two 99s.

Other Murray State individual scores that did not count toward the team scores included freshman Kevin Witbrodt, who had a 572 in smallbore and a 575 in air rifle; freshman Erica Meece, who had a 549 in smallbore and a 558 in air rifle; Boucherie, who had a 562 in smallbore; and Brooks, who had a 578 in air rifle.

"This will definitely be one of our qualifying scores," said MSU coach Ann Proctor. "Alex and Brandy each shot personal bests in the air rifle."

NCAA Championships qualifying scores are measured differently this year. Teams take their three best scores (with no more than one of those scores coming from a home match) and average them, then add that to the NCAA Sectionals match score.

Murray State will next compete at the UTM Invitational in Martin, Tenn., on Thursday, then host its annual Roger Withrow Invitational on Friday through Sunday at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range at MSU's Roy Stewart Stadium.