The Skyhawk rifle team returned to action Oct. 3 against conference opponent Murray State at the Skyhawk rifle range. This is the Skyhawks first time back on the range competitively since the NCAA qualifiers on Feb. 23, 2020, prior to the cancellation of the NCAA Championship that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In their return to competition, the Skyhawks fell short of Murray State’s aggregate, falling 4577-4633 to the 2020 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) runner-ups.
For the Skyhawks, junior Rachel Sprague, who was named OVC Freshman of the Year two years prior, led the way with an individual aggregate score of 1159. In addition, Sprague led the team in both small bore and air rifle categories, tallying scores of 574 and 585, respectively.
Sprague came second only to Murray State’s Scott Patterson (1162) and Emily Endecott (1161).
Senior Jennifer Plocinik closely followed Sprague with a 1150 aggregate, putting up scores of 566 and 584 in small bore and air rifle, respectively.
UTM was beat out in both small bore and air rifle categories, as Murray State edged out the Skyhawks 2289-2257 and 2344-2320, respectively.
The Skyhawks will travel to Murray State on Oct. 10 to take on defending the OVC champions, Morehead State.
