Collegiate Rifle: Career Highs Power Akron to Bean Pot Title

Akron’s Santiso and Moran set personal bests as Zips fire season’s third-highest team score in Massachusetts sweep.

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posted on February 12, 2026
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2 2026 Akron Beanpot Cup
The Akron Zips rifle team captured the 2026 Bean Pot Invitational title in Cambridge, Mass., fueled by career-best performances from Kaleb Santiso and Kathleen Moran.
Photo by Newt Engle

The No. 15-ranked Akron rifle team traveled to Massachusetts on Feb. 7-8 to face The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, competing both at MIT’s home range in Cambridge and at a neutral site, the Reading Rifle Club.

The first match marked the final weekend of the MIT “Bean Pot Invitational.”

Akron rifle team shooters at the 2026 Bean Pot Invitational
Akron senior Rachael Paddock topped the individual leaderboard with a 1180-77X aggregate in the Zips' match against MIT at Reading Rifle Club on Feb. 8. Senior teammate Natalia Siek was right behind her at 1177-77X, while freshman Matthew Kimball rounded out the top three with 1170-75X. (Photo by Newt Engle)

 

At the end of the weekend, the Zips captured the coveted Bean Pot with a team score of 4679. Akron has competed in the Bean Pot several times over the years. In fact, the 2010 Bean Pot is sitting on my desk—and it will be nice to add a second one. And yes, it really is a ceramic bean pot. Rather cool!

The second match took place at Reading Rifle Club against MIT. Cold weather and heavy snow did not slow the Zips, who fired a scorching 4698—the third-highest team score of the season. That performance moved Akron from No. 15 to No. 14 in the national rankings. I was very pleased to see the team come together and post such a strong score.

Akron rifle team on firing line
Cold weather and heavy snow at Reading Rifle Club couldn't slow the Zips on Feb. 8, as Akron torched the targets for a 4698-307X against MIT — the squad's third-highest total of the season. The Zips posted a 2368 in air rifle and 2330 in smallbore, a result that bumped them from No. 15 to No. 14 in the national rankings. (Photo by Newt Engle)

 

Akron junior Kaleb Santiso had an outstanding weekend, tying his career high in air rifle (591) while setting new personal bests in smallbore (581) and the 2-gun aggregate (1168). Kaleb is one of the hardest-working members of the team, and it was great to see him reach these milestones. Freshman Kathleen Moran also turned in a tremendous performance, eclipsing her career high in smallbore with an impressive 585. All in all, it was a rewarding trip to Massachusetts for the Akron Zips.

Akron vs. MIT and Norwich Scorecard

Akron vs. MIT and Norwich Scorecard
Screenshots courtesy of NCAA rifle

 

You can view the full results of both matches at the NCAA rifle website.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, the No. 14 Akron Zips will host No. 16 Army. With only a slim margin separating the two teams, this matchup promises to be memorable. Targets from the match may be viewed at shooteronline.net.

Saturday will also be Senior Day for the Zips. Following the match at approximately 12:30 p.m., a program will recognize the four graduating seniors: Rachael Paddock, Natalia Siek, Joseph Hahn and Sally Reeke.

Learn more about the Akron, MIT and Norwich rifle teams.

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