Racer Rifle Posts Highest Score Against #1 Kentucky

Saturday, January 18

West Point, N.Y.

TBA

Murray State

4661

4700

Kentucky

Tessa Howald shot a 590 in the air rifle for Murray State against Kentucky

1/18/2014 1:44:00 PM | Rifle

Results

Competing in their second match of the weekend in West Point, N.Y., Murray State rifle put together their highest scoring match of the season, but it wasn't enough to take down CRCA ranked #1 Kentucky. The Wildcats won both the smallbore and air rifle competitions in the 4700-4661 victory.

Speaking after the match head coach Alan Lollar said, "This was a solid team weekend. Everyone contributed something and we did what we came here for. We came together as a team and raised our level of performance."

The highest aggregate scorer for the Racers was Tessa Howald. Howald shot a 578 smallbore and season-best 590 air rifle for a total of 1168. Her 590 in the air rifle was good for fifth in the match and second highest on the team. Coach Lollar commended her following the match, saying, "I think the work she puts in on the training range is fixing to pay off in a big way."

For the second time this weekend Katarina Bisercic fired the top score for the Racers in the air-rifle competition. Bisercic tied for the high-score on the afternoon with a 593, matching her personal-best set earlier this season.

Bill Harvey had the top score for MSU in the smallbore, shooting a 579 to place fifth. Kelsey Emme recorded a 577 in the event, her second highest mark this season to place eighth. Following the match, coach Lollar spoke about both shooters saying, "I can't say enough about Bill's consistency in smallbore this year. Kelsey worked through some rough spots this weekend like the champion she is. It doesn't always play out as we expect and she never gives in to tough situations."

Michael Burzynski and Sam Harris both found success during the air rifle. Burzynski shot a season-high 589 to finish in seventh place while Harris placed 12^th, tying his season-best mark of 583. Following the match Harris said, "It was exciting to be part of a larger match and get to travel to West Point. I am glad I was able to handle the pressure of it in Air Rifle and put out a decent score both days."

Coach Lollar spoke about Burzynski in particular, saying, he "[had] solid air days on the big stage. He's a senior out to make a difference." Burzynski, a senior from Stratford, Conn., was also pleased with his performance and had some fans in attendance, saying, "I was very excited for this trip and was ready to compete at the best of my game. I was happy being squadded and performed both days to the best of my ability and was happy to shoot a personal best in air rifle this weekend. I was also happy my parents were able to be here."

The Racers will have a few individuals shoot Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Withrow Invitational and will next compete as a team Monday, Jan. 27 against OVC rivals Morehead St. in Lexington, Ky.