No. 4 Rifle Continues Improvement Over Weekend

Saturday, November 3

Oxford, Miss.

Murray State

4628

4654

Mississippi

Photo by: Murray State Sports Information

11/4/2012 1:26:00 PM | Rifle

Results (.pdf)

The fifth-ranked Murray State rifle team competed over the weekend at the Ole Miss Invitational in Oxford, Miss., shooting an aggregate team score of 4628. No. 4 Jacksonville State shot 4654 to win the triangular, while 13^th-ranked Ole Miss shot 4632.

Kelsey Emme continued to shoot solid scores as she once again led the Racers in total score, shooting an 1164 at the match. Emme had the second-best smallbore score for MSU with a score of 574 and led the Racers with a score of 590 in air rifle.

“I thought this was a big match for us,” said Head Coach Alan Lollar. “We have talked all year about building momentum and how important it is to keep the momentum going through the end of the year. I think we are right on schedule to do that in a big way.”

Bill Harvey shot a 576 in to lead Murray State in smallbore. Kaitlyn Wilson and Tessa Howald had scores of 569 and 568, respectively. Wilson also had a big day in air rifle, recording a career-best 587 in the discipline.

“Kaitlyn Wilson put together a second solid weekend,” said coach. "Kaitlyn had a good 569 smallbore. She wasn't real happy with it, but except for one stretch it was a great match. Every week she is getting better at managing the match to her advantage. The 587 she shot in air was another personal best for her. She's a tough competitor."

Michael Burzynski also set a new career-best in air rifle with a score of 585. Howald placed right behind him with a 584 in air.

“Mike Burzynski has worked his way onto the travel team,” Lollar said. "Mikey will travel to Morehead this week and we will be looking for him to continue to do what he has done for the last two weeks, stay consistent with what he can do. He's becoming a good, solid shooter and is ready to contribute to the team. His confidence is up, and it should be, he's been doing a good job."

“We have continued to get better every week, said Lollar. I think that's an important characteristic of this team. The ability to continue to look ahead and find a way to get better is so important for a rifle team and I think we have that.”

Next weekend the Racers will travel to Morehead, Ky., for a match with Morehead State and their third straight matchup with Jacksonville State in an all-OVC showdown on Saturday.

"We are looking forward to the match next weekend,” said coach. “Morehead will be ready and we will get to face JSU for the third weekend in a row. The way the qualifying goes for the NCAA, all the teams are looking for good locations for shooting matches and Morehead has a good range and it's another chance for us to grow as a team, become consistent and improve."