If anyone was wondering why Navy is ranked No. 3 in the nation, I can tell you firsthand: they deserve it. Navy not only fired a 4739, but it set a new school record in the process during the match in Annapolis, Maryland, on November 15. However, Akron did put up a good fight, firing the third-highest score of the season at 4691.
Working both ends of the class schedule, Akron senior Natalia Siek and freshman Matthew Kimball led the team in smallbore with impressive 586s. Going to center shots to break the tie, Siek emerged the leader 33 to 31. Then came junior Diane Heschel, setting a career-high mark at 585, and in the process firing the elusive perfect 100 in the kneeling position. Senior Joseph Hahn turned some heads by leading the Zips in kneeling with an amazing pair of 99s for a total of 198 out of a perfect 200. All this effort ended up as a 2335, which is the third-highest smallbore score of the season. The Akron rifle team has been working really hard this past week, and the improved scores show the result of all their hard work. Keep it up, team!
Siek continued her hot streak in air rifle, leading the team with a 592. Tied for second on the team, Hahn and Kimball fired matching 589s, with Kimball winning the center-shot tiebreaker 41 to 40. We all know the air rifle performance at this match was remarkably average. We also know that average will not land us where we belong. With this realization, the Akron squad will diligently prepare for the next match.
Tyler Wee was the top shooter for Navy, topping the individual aggregate leaderboard with 1193-95X.
Akron vs. Navy Scorecard
See the full results of the match at the NCAA rifle website.
The last match of the two-part rifle season is scheduled at home on Saturday, November 22. A new program at Mount Aloysius University (Pennsylvania) will occupy the Akron range at 11:30 a.m. to face off against the Zips. Live targets may be viewed at shooteronline.net.
