Collegiate Rifle: First Road Trip Splits Doubleheader For Akron

The Akron Zips stepped past UT Martin, but neglected to topple No. 6 Ole Miss over the weekend.

by
posted on October 14, 2024
** 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. **
Akron Murraystate 2
Akron rifle defeats UT Martin 4704-4658, loses to Ole Miss 4702-4694 during doubleheader in Murray, Ky., Oct. 11-12.
Photo by Newt Engle

The weekend started on a high note with Akron posting the second score of the season in the 4700s by defeating UT-Martin 4704 to 4658. Then, even though Ole Miss left the door open for an upset, Akron cooled a little allowing the Rebels to be the victor, 4702 to 4694. How could I possibly be disappointed with the team posting scores better than where we left off last spring? However, my sincere belief is this team is more than capable of scores in the 4720s and I have no doubt they will prove me to be correct. Additionally—and this is much more of a praise than an excuse—almost our entire team was affected by a rather nasty head and chest cold this past week. We emptied boxes of tissues while one team member, then another, had to stop in the middle of the match to recuperate, and they still competed at this elite level.

Akron rifle
Akron senior Lex Kirk (left) had a season-high score in smallbore (587) and in the two-gun aggregate (1180).

 

Smallbore continued to be the strong part of the two-gun competition. Seniors Erin Schnupp, Gavin Perkowski and Lex Kirk simply pounded the center of the target earning top spots for team Akron. Three Zips—Schnupp, Kirk and junior Natalia Siek—each completed the perfect 200 series in the prone position. This is no small accomplishment which the team has been training hard to achieve. Schnupp also set a new school record in the kneeling position with her score of 199-16X. Lastly, welcome fresh faced senior Joseph Hahn to the leaderboard (585), finishing third for Akron.

The air rifle machine we call Gavin Perkowski continued his winning ways by achieving season-high scores of 597 and 596 out of the possible 600. An amazing accomplishment considering the condition he was in. Seniors Lex Kirk and Rachel Engels also kept pressing their daily scores into the mid-590s.

Leaderboard: Akron vs. UT Martin, Oct. 11, 2024

Akron vs. UT Martin
Screenshot courtesy of NCAA Rifle.

 

Leaderboard: Akron vs. Ole Miss, Oct. 12, 2024

Akron vs. Ole Miss
Screenshot courtesy of NCAA Rifle.

 

See the full results of both matches at the NCAA website.

This weekend on Saturday, October 19, Akron will host John Jay College of New York. The scoreboards will light up at 8:30 a.m. The targets may be viewed live at this link.

Latest

2026 Winch Gatorcup 1
2026 Winch Gatorcup 1

Eric Harvey Goes Back-to-Back at Gator Cup, Edmunds Takes Lady Crown

Eric Harvey wins his second consecutive Gator Cup Main Event HOA with 183/200. Desi Edmunds claims Lady HOA as Winchester and White Flyer competitors sweep top titles.

A Tornado, a Target Mix-Up and Triumphant Returns: 1992 National Matches

The 1992 National Matches at Camp Perry featured tornado evacuations, a historic target mix-up and dominant performances by Lozoya, Wigger and Bernosky.

Benelli’s ‘Art of Performance’ Series Goes Inside the Making of a Lupo Barrel

First video in Benelli USA’s new “Art of Performance” series showcases the three-step barrel engineering process in its Lupo bolt-action rifle.

Parcell, Powell Lead Team Remington’s Podium Run at 2026 Gator Cup

Brandon Powell finishes HOA runner-up and Turner Parcell takes third in the Main Event at the 2026 Gator Cup.

2026 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship Preview

The NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championship returns to Ohio’s Cardinal Shooting Center in 2026 with expanded junior programs, major sponsor support and three national titles at stake.

Cartridge Case Materials Explained: Brass, Steel, Aluminum and Nickel-Plated Brass

A breakdown of four common cartridge case materials—brass, steel, aluminum and nickel-plated brass—covering cost, performance, reloadability and identification.

Interests



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