Murray State University Athletics
Sunday, February 7
Spurgin Rifle Range
9 a.m.
Murray State
vs
OVC Air Rifle
Players Mentioned
Racers Dominate En Route To 11th OVC Title
2/7/2016 2:08:00 PM | Rifle
Setting new program bests in both air rifle and aggregate score the second-ranked Murray State rifle team hosted the OVC Championship trophy for the 11th time Sunday at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range in Murray. The Racers shot a 2377 in air rifle en route to a 4719 aggregate score, besting the two previous records by nine and five points, respectively. The total score also marked the third time this season and in program history that the Racers have eclipsed the 4700 plateau.
"It was an honor to host the championships at home this year," said head coach Alan Lollar. "The OVC helped us put on a first class championship and we want to thank all that were involved. Our team really prepared well and then competed the way they had prepared and you can't ask more than that."
All four MSU shooters who competed in both events finished first through fourth individually in both air rifle and aggregate scores. Senior Tessa Howald and freshman MacKenzie Martin led the way in air rifle with a 596, while sophomore Ivan Roe and freshman Barbara Schläpfer followed closely behind at 594 and 593, respectively. Freshman Alathea Sellars, who took the place of sophomore Ben Estes in the event, shot a 589 to round out Murray State's day.
In total scores, Roe won the event with an 1181, while Schläpfer was nipping at his heels in second with an 1180. Howald came in third with an 1178, while Martin was fourth at 1173.
"In her senior year and last OVC, Tessa really came up big for us this weekend" continued Lollar. "Barbara, Ivan and Kenzie were rock solid and Ben had a fine smallbore. When Ben was a little under the weather this morning, Alathea stepped right in and gave the good consistent contribution she has given all year. It was really a big time effort from her."
Following the championship, Roe was named as OVC Smallbore Athlete of the Year and as OVC Co-Air Rifle Athlete of the Year, along with Martin. Schläpfer earned OVC Freshman of the Year honors, while head coach Alan Lollar was named as OVC Coach of the Year.
In smallbore honors, Schläpfer, Roe, Howald and Estes earned All-OVC first-team honors, while Martin was named to the second team. In addition, Schläpfer and Martin also earned All-Newcomer honors.
In air rifle, Martin, Howald, Roe and Schläpfer were appointed to the first team, while Sellars made the second team. Martin, Schläpfer and Sellars were also awarded All-Newcomer honors for the event.
Next up for Murray State is the annual NCAA qualifying event which will be hosted at Pat Spurgin Rifle Range on Feb. 20. Heading into the qualifier, the Racers sit second nationally, well ahead of the eight-team cutoff line for the NCAA Championship.
"Now we are looking forward to a couple of days off before we start getting ready for the NCAA Qualifier," Lollar added. "We also want to again sincerely thank everyone that came out and supported the team this weekend, we really appreciate it."
"It was an honor to host the championships at home this year," said head coach Alan Lollar. "The OVC helped us put on a first class championship and we want to thank all that were involved. Our team really prepared well and then competed the way they had prepared and you can't ask more than that."
All four MSU shooters who competed in both events finished first through fourth individually in both air rifle and aggregate scores. Senior Tessa Howald and freshman MacKenzie Martin led the way in air rifle with a 596, while sophomore Ivan Roe and freshman Barbara Schläpfer followed closely behind at 594 and 593, respectively. Freshman Alathea Sellars, who took the place of sophomore Ben Estes in the event, shot a 589 to round out Murray State's day.
In total scores, Roe won the event with an 1181, while Schläpfer was nipping at his heels in second with an 1180. Howald came in third with an 1178, while Martin was fourth at 1173.
"In her senior year and last OVC, Tessa really came up big for us this weekend" continued Lollar. "Barbara, Ivan and Kenzie were rock solid and Ben had a fine smallbore. When Ben was a little under the weather this morning, Alathea stepped right in and gave the good consistent contribution she has given all year. It was really a big time effort from her."
Following the championship, Roe was named as OVC Smallbore Athlete of the Year and as OVC Co-Air Rifle Athlete of the Year, along with Martin. Schläpfer earned OVC Freshman of the Year honors, while head coach Alan Lollar was named as OVC Coach of the Year.
In smallbore honors, Schläpfer, Roe, Howald and Estes earned All-OVC first-team honors, while Martin was named to the second team. In addition, Schläpfer and Martin also earned All-Newcomer honors.
In air rifle, Martin, Howald, Roe and Schläpfer were appointed to the first team, while Sellars made the second team. Martin, Schläpfer and Sellars were also awarded All-Newcomer honors for the event.
Next up for Murray State is the annual NCAA qualifying event which will be hosted at Pat Spurgin Rifle Range on Feb. 20. Heading into the qualifier, the Racers sit second nationally, well ahead of the eight-team cutoff line for the NCAA Championship.
"Now we are looking forward to a couple of days off before we start getting ready for the NCAA Qualifier," Lollar added. "We also want to again sincerely thank everyone that came out and supported the team this weekend, we really appreciate it."
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