Army West Point Athletics
Friday, March 11
Akron, Ohio
10:15 AM
Army West Point
vs
NCAA Championships
Two for Rifle Set for NCAA Championships
March 10, 2016 | Rifle
AKRON, Ohio – The Army West Point rifle team will conclude its season with two individuals competing in the NCAA Championships this weekend in Akron, Ohio. Freshman Nathan Brewer and senior Alyssa Gestl will be representing the Black Knights as they compete individually. Brewer will be shooting in smallbore on Friday, March 11, at 12:45 p.m., while Gestl will be shooting in air rifle on Saturday, March 12, beginning at 12:15 p.m.
"Alyssa and Nathan are pretty fired up to be at the NCAAs," said Army West Point head coach Web Wright II. "They have come a long way this year and I think the feeling of accomplishment is there, but a good performance would be the big pay off."
HOW TO FOLLOW
TWITTER • @ArmyWP_Rifle
CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE • Akron
LIVE STATS • Targets
Brewer has been strong in his freshman campaign. He made the smallbore finals at the GARC Championship and placed eighth with a score of 581, leading Army to a third place finish and just four points shy of second behind No. 3 Kentucky. Brewer leads the team in smallbore average (576.4) and is second in aggregate score (1158.4).
"Nathan has really exceeded my expectations for a plebe this year," said Wright. "He is the hardest worker on the team and has been a great example for the rest of the team how that hard work and focus can pay off. He made the final for the conference championship so we know what he is capable of."
Brewer's season-best score came in the President's Trophy Match when he shot an 1168 aggregate and a 586 smallbore, the latter tied for the best smallbore score of the year for the Black Knights. In addition to qualifying for the NCAA Championships, Brewer is one of five Cadets that will compete at the NCAA Junior Olympic qualifying meet.
"It's a big stage," commented Brewer. "You have to thrive under pressure. That means just going back to your battle rhythm and just doing what you need to do. It's just another match."
Gestl is appearing at the NCAA Championships for the third time in her four years at the Academy. The senior returns after a one-year hiatus after posting career-best marks in the NCAA Qualifier with a 593 score in air rifle. Gestl placed 18th at the GARC Championships with a score of 587. On the year, she leads the team in air rifle average (587.2) and aggregate score (1162.2).
"Alyssa has been Army's best performer in air rifle this year," Wright stated. "Added to that is the fact that she improved all year long and culminated in a qualifying score for this match. As a firstie, this will be her last collegiate match and we all want it to be a memorable one."
Gestl shot a 586 in air rifle at the 2014 NCAA Championships, good for 21st place. As a freshman in 2013, she was the first female Cadet to qualify for the NCAA's as a plebe since 2009.
This season, Gestl has set new career-highs across the board. She opened the season with a career-best 584 score in air rifle, topping her previous-high of 580. Against Navy later in the year, Gestl shot her second-best career effort with a 583 to help lead her team to the victory, improving to 4-0 against Navy in Star Matches in her career.
"I was hoping to be able to do it with my team, but to be able to make it my last year, as an individual, while shooting a personal-best on the qualifying day is very nice," said Gestl. "It would be nice to finish well. Going to NCAA's means an extra two weeks of shooting which means having that extra time to be down here, shooting, practicing, and doing what I love. Having a good match at NCAA's would definitely top of my entire four-year career."
Gestl was also a part of the 2012-13 team that posted an Academy-record 2357 air rifle score against Jacksonville State and Ole Miss. She contributed a 589 score, tied for the second-best on the team that day.
Wright is excited about the opportunity laid in front of his two best shooters.
"I think both of them have the talent and composure to make the final eight. They need to stay focused in the task at hand - making each shot count. Only the single shot in the chamber matters. Process and execution of that single shot. If they can maintain that focus, they will do well."
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"Alyssa and Nathan are pretty fired up to be at the NCAAs," said Army West Point head coach Web Wright II. "They have come a long way this year and I think the feeling of accomplishment is there, but a good performance would be the big pay off."
HOW TO FOLLOW
TWITTER • @ArmyWP_Rifle
CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE • Akron
LIVE STATS • Targets
Brewer has been strong in his freshman campaign. He made the smallbore finals at the GARC Championship and placed eighth with a score of 581, leading Army to a third place finish and just four points shy of second behind No. 3 Kentucky. Brewer leads the team in smallbore average (576.4) and is second in aggregate score (1158.4).
"Nathan has really exceeded my expectations for a plebe this year," said Wright. "He is the hardest worker on the team and has been a great example for the rest of the team how that hard work and focus can pay off. He made the final for the conference championship so we know what he is capable of."
Brewer's season-best score came in the President's Trophy Match when he shot an 1168 aggregate and a 586 smallbore, the latter tied for the best smallbore score of the year for the Black Knights. In addition to qualifying for the NCAA Championships, Brewer is one of five Cadets that will compete at the NCAA Junior Olympic qualifying meet.
"It's a big stage," commented Brewer. "You have to thrive under pressure. That means just going back to your battle rhythm and just doing what you need to do. It's just another match."
Gestl is appearing at the NCAA Championships for the third time in her four years at the Academy. The senior returns after a one-year hiatus after posting career-best marks in the NCAA Qualifier with a 593 score in air rifle. Gestl placed 18th at the GARC Championships with a score of 587. On the year, she leads the team in air rifle average (587.2) and aggregate score (1162.2).
"Alyssa has been Army's best performer in air rifle this year," Wright stated. "Added to that is the fact that she improved all year long and culminated in a qualifying score for this match. As a firstie, this will be her last collegiate match and we all want it to be a memorable one."
Gestl shot a 586 in air rifle at the 2014 NCAA Championships, good for 21st place. As a freshman in 2013, she was the first female Cadet to qualify for the NCAA's as a plebe since 2009.
This season, Gestl has set new career-highs across the board. She opened the season with a career-best 584 score in air rifle, topping her previous-high of 580. Against Navy later in the year, Gestl shot her second-best career effort with a 583 to help lead her team to the victory, improving to 4-0 against Navy in Star Matches in her career.
"I was hoping to be able to do it with my team, but to be able to make it my last year, as an individual, while shooting a personal-best on the qualifying day is very nice," said Gestl. "It would be nice to finish well. Going to NCAA's means an extra two weeks of shooting which means having that extra time to be down here, shooting, practicing, and doing what I love. Having a good match at NCAA's would definitely top of my entire four-year career."
Gestl was also a part of the 2012-13 team that posted an Academy-record 2357 air rifle score against Jacksonville State and Ole Miss. She contributed a 589 score, tied for the second-best on the team that day.
Wright is excited about the opportunity laid in front of his two best shooters.
"I think both of them have the talent and composure to make the final eight. They need to stay focused in the task at hand - making each shot count. Only the single shot in the chamber matters. Process and execution of that single shot. If they can maintain that focus, they will do well."
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Players Mentioned
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