Army West Point Athletics
Saturday, October 17
Oxford, MS
9 AM ET
Army West Point
at
Ole Miss
A New Era In Rifle Opens This Weekend
October 15, 2015 | Rifle
WEST POINT, N.Y. – First-year Army West Point head coach Web Wright has been excited about the upcoming season since he took over the head reigns in May. The waiting is over and a new era begins as he prepares Army for the opener with a pair of Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) road matches this weekend.
The Black Knights, who were picked 11th in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason poll, visit No. 14 Ole Miss Saturday and No. 10 Memphis on Sunday. Both were among Army's conference wins last year as the Black Knights posted a 5-3 record en route to closing out the season 7-6.
Wright, who retired after 25 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, has an impressive pedigree of his own having grown up around the sport, as his father was the head rifle coach at Navy. The seven-time All-American and two-time NCAA smallbore champion, who graduated from West Virginia in 1989, helped lead the Mountaineers to three nationals titles, earned a position on the 1988 Olympic Team and an assignment at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from 1991 through 1996.
Ten letterwinners and four talented freshmen comprises this year's roster, which is larger than it has been in the past, and Wright is pleased with that as a "larger team tends to push each other a little bit more. There is a competitive streak to want to be on the traveling team," noted Wright.
 "I am impressed how the team has progressed in just the first couple of weeks of practice showing phenomenal effort and a lot of hard work," continued the first-year coach. "I am particularly impressed with the plebes. This group has lit a spark on the upperclassmen, and I think that dynamic is beneficial in challenging one another. I am looking forward to the first matches this weekend."
Among the returning letterwinners are junior team captain Allen Solida and senior Alyssa Gestl, last year's captain. Wright has been impressed with their efforts along with the rest of the upperclassman.
"Allen has done a phenomenal job this year in pointing the team in the right direction and keeping things organized," explained Wright. "Alyssa (last year's leader in air rifle) is shooting well in that discipline, and I look forward to her setting the bar high in this competition."
Marvin Lewis and Danielle Cuomo are solid competitors and strong leaders within the team as well. Classmate Libby Mostert is a consummate team player and strong across the board in both disciplines.
Among the younger returnees is sophomore Josh Martin, who is coming off a banner first year as he tied the school smallbore record (591) earning medalist honors at the President's Trophy Match. At season's end, his top score ranked second nationally.
"Josh has done well in practice matches this season and is consistently among the top three on the team," stated Wright. "I can see the intensity and focus when he shoots, and I feel he is about ready to put it all together."
Working hard among the yearlings (sophomore) are Ethan Cook, Mike Garner, Alex Gestl and Sarah Nakata, who will providing solid depth in both disciplines with a year of experience to call upon.Â
Equally as impressive are four newcomers looking to make progress to absorb knowledge from the coach and their teammates in their acclimation to the collegiate level. Nathan Brewer, who earned a spot on the National Development Team, earned a coveted spot on the travel team the first weekend of completion.
Rick Arnold has been showing progress in practice and was among the top contenders for a spot the opening weekend. Also in the wings are Andrew Solomonides and Payne Nunn, both with strong work ethic and desire to achieve.
Wright has changed the dynamics of the team by having them articulate their goals both individually and as part of a team. "I think that laid a foundation where they set the road map and had something to work towards," said Wright, "and I feel it has paid off thus far."
Last year Army's strength was in air rifle, and it is solid once again, but progress has been made in smallbore and hard work has resulted in depth in both disciplines.
Wright faces a tough 13-match schedule shooting against the top teams in the country, including five 2015 NCAA participants, among them defending NCAA champion and GARC rival West Virginia, along with Navy and Air Force.
He hopes to see the team peak during the month of February starting with the conference match against Navy, the NCAA Qualifier and the GARC Championships, and if all goes well, a berth to the NCAA Championships for a fitting end to his inaugural year.
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The Black Knights, who were picked 11th in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason poll, visit No. 14 Ole Miss Saturday and No. 10 Memphis on Sunday. Both were among Army's conference wins last year as the Black Knights posted a 5-3 record en route to closing out the season 7-6.
Wright, who retired after 25 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, has an impressive pedigree of his own having grown up around the sport, as his father was the head rifle coach at Navy. The seven-time All-American and two-time NCAA smallbore champion, who graduated from West Virginia in 1989, helped lead the Mountaineers to three nationals titles, earned a position on the 1988 Olympic Team and an assignment at the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit from 1991 through 1996.
Ten letterwinners and four talented freshmen comprises this year's roster, which is larger than it has been in the past, and Wright is pleased with that as a "larger team tends to push each other a little bit more. There is a competitive streak to want to be on the traveling team," noted Wright.
 "I am impressed how the team has progressed in just the first couple of weeks of practice showing phenomenal effort and a lot of hard work," continued the first-year coach. "I am particularly impressed with the plebes. This group has lit a spark on the upperclassmen, and I think that dynamic is beneficial in challenging one another. I am looking forward to the first matches this weekend."
Among the returning letterwinners are junior team captain Allen Solida and senior Alyssa Gestl, last year's captain. Wright has been impressed with their efforts along with the rest of the upperclassman.
"Allen has done a phenomenal job this year in pointing the team in the right direction and keeping things organized," explained Wright. "Alyssa (last year's leader in air rifle) is shooting well in that discipline, and I look forward to her setting the bar high in this competition."
Marvin Lewis and Danielle Cuomo are solid competitors and strong leaders within the team as well. Classmate Libby Mostert is a consummate team player and strong across the board in both disciplines.
Among the younger returnees is sophomore Josh Martin, who is coming off a banner first year as he tied the school smallbore record (591) earning medalist honors at the President's Trophy Match. At season's end, his top score ranked second nationally.
"Josh has done well in practice matches this season and is consistently among the top three on the team," stated Wright. "I can see the intensity and focus when he shoots, and I feel he is about ready to put it all together."
Working hard among the yearlings (sophomore) are Ethan Cook, Mike Garner, Alex Gestl and Sarah Nakata, who will providing solid depth in both disciplines with a year of experience to call upon.Â
Equally as impressive are four newcomers looking to make progress to absorb knowledge from the coach and their teammates in their acclimation to the collegiate level. Nathan Brewer, who earned a spot on the National Development Team, earned a coveted spot on the travel team the first weekend of completion.
Rick Arnold has been showing progress in practice and was among the top contenders for a spot the opening weekend. Also in the wings are Andrew Solomonides and Payne Nunn, both with strong work ethic and desire to achieve.
Wright has changed the dynamics of the team by having them articulate their goals both individually and as part of a team. "I think that laid a foundation where they set the road map and had something to work towards," said Wright, "and I feel it has paid off thus far."
Last year Army's strength was in air rifle, and it is solid once again, but progress has been made in smallbore and hard work has resulted in depth in both disciplines.
Wright faces a tough 13-match schedule shooting against the top teams in the country, including five 2015 NCAA participants, among them defending NCAA champion and GARC rival West Virginia, along with Navy and Air Force.
He hopes to see the team peak during the month of February starting with the conference match against Navy, the NCAA Qualifier and the GARC Championships, and if all goes well, a berth to the NCAA Championships for a fitting end to his inaugural year.
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Players Mentioned
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