The UTM rifle squad took part in an NCAA Qualifier each of the last two days against Murray State at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range, posting 4,559 aggregate points to close out the team portion of the 2020-21 season.
The Skyhawks compiled 2,298 points in air rifle and 2,261 more points in smallbore. UTM was originally slated to face Memphis on Sunday but travel issues related to weather resulted in a last-minute change in the schedule.
Leading the way in aggregate scoring for the Skyhawks wasĀ Rachel Sprague, who tallied 1,155 points. She was followed byĀ Jennifer PlocinikĀ (1,151),Ā Nick FaresĀ (1,131),Ā Jacob OsborneĀ (1,122) andĀ Kalen RoyalĀ (1,078).
In air rifle, Plocinik guided UTM for the 13thĀ time in 14 opportunities as the senior from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, finished with a 585 tally. Closely behind her was Sprague’s 584 as she came up just one point shy of her season-high score. Fares (565), Osborne (564) and Royal (535) completed the team scoring.
Sprague topped the Skyhawks in smallbore with her score of 571 points. Fares set a new season-high with 566 points while Plocinik also charted a score of 566. Osborne and Royal rounded out the squad’s total with performances of 558 and 543, respectively.
Also competing as individuals wereĀ Amanda MayoĀ (career-best 562 smallbore, 552 air rifle, 1,114 total),Ā Celia GelpeyĀ (552 air rifle, 542 smallbore, 1,094 total),Ā Abigail DonaldĀ (550 air rifle, 531 smallbore; 1,081 total) andĀ Rachel MillsĀ (season-high 555 air rifle, 539 smallbore, 1,094 total).Ā
UTM will now have to wait and see if any individuals will qualify for the 2021 NCAA Championships, which will be held on March 12-13 in Columbus, Ohio. The NCAA will release the team and individual participants during its selection show on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. CST.
