As you know, the Akron rifle squad recently returned from an eventful trip to Alaska. What you may not know is upon returning to Akron, Ohio, the team—one by one—each fell victim to a rapidly spreading influenza. This put the Akron Zips in the unenviable position of deciding who was well enough to make it to the range and compete for the match against West Virginia University on Sunday, January 26.
Before the match began, I advised the team we have crossed this bridge before and when a team is facing what looks like show-stopping circumstances, amazing things can happen allowing the team to not only perform well, but to perform exceptionally well. And that prediction paid off. Despite hands full of tissues and an occasional trip to the restroom, the Akron rifle team pulled it together and posted a score that tied its second-highest score of the season. As a matter of fact, Akron’s team score was exactly the same as was posted a week earlier in Alaska. It appears nothing will get in the way of this team.
Air rifle was just a little flat for Akron, with only four members of the squad breaking into the 590s. The leader at this match was redshirt senior Gavin Perkowski, who six days earlier set the new school air rifle record of 599-55X. However, Perkowski still managed to push a very nice 594 out of the possible 600. Right in the mix with Perkowski was senior Erin Schnupp and junior Rachael Paddock with like 592s. Also, this marked a new career high for Paddock.
However, there was nothing flat on the smallbore range. Akron junior Natalia Siek may not have felt well but it was not evident by her scores. Despite needing to make periodic trips off the firing line, Siek set her new career high smallbore mark at 590. Only one slim point away from the school record. Natalia has been putting in many hours of additional training to sharpen her smallbore scores. What an outstanding way for her to be rewarded for this effort. However, Siek’s teammates did not let up on the gas with the next four, (that’s right four) members of the Akron squad all firing like 585s. Every place I looked I saw the number 585. It was surreal. All of this excellence added up to a 2245 score, which yet again was one slim point from the school record. Despite being pretty sick, Akron rifle really did show up on the smallbore range.
For West Virginia University, the top shooter in the aggregate and for the entire match was Gavin Barnick, who posted a score of 1189-99X.
Results: Akron vs. West Virginia on January 26, 2025
You can see the full match scorecard at the NCAA rifle website.
After a much needed weekend off, the No. 11-ranked Akron Zips will all get well in preparation of traveling to the last regular season match of the season against the No. 17 Morehead State Eagles on Saturday, February 8. The matches will start at 9:00 a.m. EST and targets can be viewed live at this link.
Learn more about the Akron and West Virginia University rifle teams.
