Multiple career- and season-high scores were set this weekend by the UTM rifle team as the Skyhawks hosted the University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB) on Saturday and Jacksonville State on Sunday.
UTM used a complete team effort on Saturday, defeating the visiting Blazers by a 4,584-4,580 margin. Facing a quick turnaround returning to the range on Sunday, the Skyhawks fell 4,611-4,558 to the Gamecocks.
On Saturday, UTM stood out in air rifle as its 2,319 points were just one shy of the season-high score set in the season opener at Murray State on Oct. 3. Jennifer Plocinik accounted for a 586 while Rachel Sprague followed with a 582. Nick Fares delivered a career-best score of 581 while Jacob Osborne (570) and Abigail Donald (551) also made up the scoring lineup.
The Skyhawks added 2,265 points in smallbore against UAB. Plocinik’s 574 led the way while Sprague (570), Osborne (562), Fares (559) and Kalen Royal (553) additionally contributed to UTM’s victory.
Celia Gelpey had a successful day as the senior from Danvers, Massachusetts recorded a season-high 547 in air rifle and led a trio of Skyhawks who were competing as individuals in smallbore scoring (539). Amanda Mayo fired a 560 in air rifle and 537 in smallbore while Royal (554 in air rifle) and Donald (527 in smallbore) also competed on the individual relays.
UTM posted 2,296 points in air rifle and a score of 2,262 in smallbore during the matchup against Jacksonville State. Sprague topped the Skyhawks in scoring in both guns (578 air rifle, 572 smallbore) while Plocinik tied for the team lead with a 578 in air rifle.
Fares (573), Osborne (567) and Mayo (career-best 567) joined Sprague and Plocinik in UTM’s team tally in air rifle. The Skyhawks’ smallbore scoring squad consisted of Sprague, Plocinik (568), Osborne (567), Fares (555) and Royal (528).
Individually, Gelpey continued her strong weekend with a season-high 558 in air rifle – shattering her highest benchmark for the second time in as many days. Donald (558) and Royal (549) rounded out the individual scoring on the air rifle side while the UTM duo of Mayo and Gelpey chalked up scores of 552 and 534, respectively, in smallbore.
The Skyhawks will now turn their focus to the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championship event, which will take place on Feb. 6-7 on the campus of Morehead State University.
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