The trip west to the great state of Colorado was planned to have four NCAA rifle teams battle head-to-head at two different locations. The first match was at the U.S. Air Force Academy, with the second showdown held at the prestigious U.S. Olympic Training Center, both located in Colorado Springs. Having two locations for one trip is a bonus as the NCAA Rifle Championship selection starts with the highest three scores with no two matches at one location. Thus, these matches yielded two more opportunities to post a top three match score.
And that is exactly what happened. For the first match at the Air Force Academy, Akron raised its third score to 4696. However, in the process the No. 13-ranked Akron Zips upset No. 10 Air Force (4692) by a mere four points. No. 4 Kentucky (4728) emerged as the top guns with upstart Schreiner University finishing in fourth place. I am still amazed and yet a little proud when our team posts a respectable score and still feels like they missed the mark. Wanting more is not a bad thing.
Results: Akron vs Kentucky, Air Force and Schreiner Univ. at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 23, 2024.
See the full results of the match at the NCAA rifle website.
The next day, Akron rifle walked into the awesome facility at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Some of the team had been there before, but for the newbies it is always a little humbling, leaving some awestruck. Reminding the team there is simply a firing line at this end of the range with a target at the other end—just like at home—the team set up for business. It was clear from the start that today was different.
The whole team was serious, but at the same time having fun. At the end of the match, it was clear how serious the team was when the 4707 was posted for Akron. This tied the second-highest score of the season as well as replacing the third of the top three scores just posted a day prior. Team Akron now has its top three scores in the solid 4700s. However, Air Force might have been a little ouchy, as despite the good score from Akron, they bested Akron with their 4720. Again, Kentucky finished first with Schreiner in fourth. All in all, a great day for the Akron marksmen, says one proud coach.
Results: Akron vs. Kentucky, Air Force and Schreiner Univ. at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 24, 2024.
You can see the full results of the match at the NCAA rifle website.
This ends the first part of our two-part season. Akron rifle will reconvene in January to prepare for the opening matches. The fun will begin at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks on the Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend of January 18-19, 2025. Have a happy holiday season and see you all in January.
Learn more about the Akron, Kentucky, Air Force and Schreiner University rifle teams.
