Collegiate Rifle: Akron Tops Field in VMI Four-Team Match

Akron Zips rifle team outshoots UAB by 34 points as Siek and Kimball secure individual titles.

by
posted on November 5, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Akroncr Nov5 2025 1
The Akron Zips rifle team claimed victory in a tight four-team showdown hosted by VMI in Lexington, Virginia, on Nov. 1, 2025.
Photo by Newt Engle

The Akron rifle team traveled to Lexington, Virginia, on November 1 for a four-team competition. When the smoke cleared at the end of the day, Akron stood alone at the top of the pile. In addition to Akron, the three other teams consisted of The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), the VMI mixed team (men and women) and the VMI women’s team. Team Akron (4671) finished a slim 34 points ahead of the UAB team (4637). In the world of rifle competitions with each press of the trigger being worth 10 points, a 34-point margin is kind of close.

Akron senior Natalia Siek pulled in the top-gun honor in smallbore with her 584. Right on her heels, UAB’s Holly Visconti (582) took second. Rounding out the top three for Akron were seniors Rachael Paddock and Joseph Hahn with like 578s.

Air rifle was sort of a free-for-all as all three teams battled for individual supremacy. Akron freshman hotshot Matthew Kimball pounded the center of the target landing him in the top-gun slot with a well-earned 595 out of 600. This is the second match in a row where Kimball led the squad, including last weekend where Kimball set the season-high mark of 597. One point behind was UAB’s Piper Wentland and her 594. As if the total team score was not close enough, UAB was only 10 points behind Akron in air rifle 2346 to 2356. Now that is razor thin!

Akron vs. VMI and UAB at VMI

Akron vs. VMI and UAB at VMI results
Screenshot courtesy NCAA Rifle

 

You can see the full results of the match at the NCAA Rifle website.

On Saturday, November 8, Akron will travel south to Ohio State for another three-way match with the Buckeyes, Murray State and the University of Texas El Paso. Murray State and UTEP will begin at 9:00 a.m. with Ohio State and Akron starting at 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. Targets may be viewed at this link. Furthermore, Ohio State is excited to now have range live streaming: Ohio State Range Live Streaming. Selectable live video and targets can be viewed simultaneously via this link.

Learn more about the Akron, UAB and VMI rifle teams.

Latest

Sierramatchking Jun2026 4
Sierramatchking Jun2026 4

Sierra Expands Tipped MatchKing and MatchKing X Lines

Sierra Bullets releases three new rifle bullet offerings, including .25-cal. and 7 mm Tipped MatchKings and a .22-cal. MatchKing X hunting bullet.

New: Smith & Wesson Revolver Red Dot Direct Mounts

Smith & Wesson releases red-dot direct mounts for its K-, L-, N- and X-frame revolvers, fitting Aimpoint ACRO, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and Trijicon RMR footprints at $70.

New: Federal Suppressor Case

Federal Ammunition is now shipping a Suppressor Case with a heat-resistant lining and side-pinch pockets, sized for suppressors up to 10 inches at $39.99.

Peiser Reaches First Senior World Cup Final in Munich

Braden Peiser qualified for his first senior World Cup final and finished sixth in Men’s 50m Rifle 3-Position at the 2026 ISSF World Cup Munich.

The Mystery of the Palma Trophy

From the archives: The original Palma Trophy vanished from a Washington, D.C., corridor after 1930. NRA’s Ed Andrus traced the lost masterpiece through decades of correspondence.

Harmon and Fitzpatrick Win Team Division at 2026 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge

Kahl Harmon and Mitch Fitzpatrick win Team division at 2026 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge, outscoring more than 40 teams in Glenrock, Wyoming.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.