Despite a setback to Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) rival Murray State, several members of the UTM rifle squad began the spring on a high note with respectable performances at the Skyhawk Rifle Range.
UTM amassed 2,270 points in smallbore and 2,322 points in air rifle for an aggregate tally of 4,592 points. Murray State posted an overall score of 4,659 (2,300 smallbore, 2,359 air rifle) to win the head-to-head matchup.
Kaitlin Korinek’s 1,163 total points paced the Skyhawks and was the fourth-best score out of all competitors. Rachel Sprague (1,156) and Jacob Osborne (1,137) also ranked amongst the top-10 aggregate scorers, ranking sixth and 10th, respectively.
In smallbore, it was Sprague’s 576 that led the way for UT Martin. Korinek secured a 572 while Osborne (566), Jennifer Plocinik (556) and Nick Fares (532) completed the team scoring. Kalen Royal (547), Tristan Grisham (546) and Celia Gelpey (534) additionally represented the Skyhawks in smallbore.
Korinek’s team-best 591 air rifle score began with back-to-back 100’s as she set the tone for UT Martin. Sprague and Plocinik each accumulated scores of 580 while the Skyhawks’ team tally was rounded out by Osborne’s 571 and Fares’ 565. Royal equaled a career-best score with a 570 while Amanda Mayo (553) and Rachel Mills (541) also took part in air rifle for UTM.
The Skyhawks are back in action in two weeks, as they will complete a busy weekend in advance of the 2020 OVC Championship. UTM hosts University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on Jan. 25 and Jacksonville State on Jan. 26 while also traveling to Murray, Kentucky. for the annual Withrow Invitational on Jan. 26.
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