Army West Point Athletics
Saturday, February 16
West Point, NY
9:00 AM
Army West Point
4678
vs
4326
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Rifle Posts Program Record In NCAA Qualifier
February 16, 2019 | Rifle
WEST POINT - The Army West Point rifle team posted a program best score in its NCAA Qualification Match at the Tronsrue Marksmanship Center on Saturday.
The Black Knights put up an aggregate score of 4678, topping their previous record setting score of 4668 from the Palmyra Invitational earlier this year. The Cadets made their mark in air rifle, where they shot a 2377, surpassing the program's previous high mark by 16 points.
"It was a good day for us," head coach Web Wright said. "We set a program record when we most needed it. Our smallbore score was a little weak, but the team came together and shot incredibly well in air rifle. It was the highest we have ever shot, and it put our aggregate score at a level to where I think we are going to have a good shot to be one of the top eight teams and be invited to the NCAA Championships."
Army entered the day ranked 12th in the NCAA rifle standings, just seven points out of the eighth and final spot to qualify for the NCAA Championships. After Saturday's performance, the Cadets are right in the hunt.
"We have a couple of teams to compete this afternoon and tomorrow, but I think we have a good shot at making it," Wright said.
Following the match, the team honored seniors Payne Nunn and Andrew Solomonides, who competed in their final regular season matches of their collegiate careers on Saturday.
"It was a great day for Payne and Andrew," Wright said. "They have both been a dream to coach over the last four years and have been fierce competitors and stellar Cadets. It was a good end to a good four year run!"
AGGREGATE: (4678)
The Black Knights put up an aggregate score of 4678, topping their previous record setting score of 4668 from the Palmyra Invitational earlier this year. The Cadets made their mark in air rifle, where they shot a 2377, surpassing the program's previous high mark by 16 points.
"It was a good day for us," head coach Web Wright said. "We set a program record when we most needed it. Our smallbore score was a little weak, but the team came together and shot incredibly well in air rifle. It was the highest we have ever shot, and it put our aggregate score at a level to where I think we are going to have a good shot to be one of the top eight teams and be invited to the NCAA Championships."
Army entered the day ranked 12th in the NCAA rifle standings, just seven points out of the eighth and final spot to qualify for the NCAA Championships. After Saturday's performance, the Cadets are right in the hunt.
"We have a couple of teams to compete this afternoon and tomorrow, but I think we have a good shot at making it," Wright said.
Following the match, the team honored seniors Payne Nunn and Andrew Solomonides, who competed in their final regular season matches of their collegiate careers on Saturday.
"It was a great day for Payne and Andrew," Wright said. "They have both been a dream to coach over the last four years and have been fierce competitors and stellar Cadets. It was a good end to a good four year run!"
AGGREGATE: (4678)
- Army set a program record with a score of 4678. The team's previous high score was 4668.
- Sophomore co-captain Clayton Hanson had the team's top score with an 1173.
- In his final regular season match as a Black Knight, senior co-captain Payne Nunn shot an 1172.
- Army's 2377 surpassed the team's previous record of 2361 from this year's All-Academy President's Trophy Match.
- Freshman Lauren McMahan tied the program record with a 597 score. The record was previously set by Nunn against North Carolina State earlier this season.
- Nunn and Hanson tied for second in this discipline, as they posted matching scores of 594.
- Hanson had the team's top smallbore score with a 579 mark.
- Nunn was a point behind, posting a 578.
Players Mentioned
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