Simon Elfrink
Sports Editor
selfrink@murraystate.edu
Murray State rifle outdid 16th-ranked Morehead State but fell to No.1 Kentucky at the annual Kentucky Long Rifle Match at the Barker Hall Rifle Range on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Unlike typical NCAA rifle matches, which incorporate the best four scores demonstrated by the five shooters from each team, the Long Rifle Match allows additional shooters to tally up their scores to the final aggregate. Head Coach Allan Lollar said the event typically calls for eight shooters per team, but COVID-19 regulations limited the event to six shooters per team.
The unique shoot-six, count-six format left the win up to any team who brought the heat, and while Lollar’s shooters performed well, the Wildcats were able to pull out the win, leaving the Racers second place out of three teams.
“I thought we did a good job,” Lollar said. “We shot a little better than our average, so I was real happy with that. Everybody worked hard [and] it was a good team effort.”
Despite the final results, the Racers found some success in their personal performances. Sophomore Mattias Kiuru led the Racers with a personal best 597 in air rifle. Kiuru added a 583 in smallbore to give him an 1180 in the aggregate column, only one point shy of his season high score.
Freshman Allison Henry outdid herself by setting personal records in all three scoring columns, with a 590 in air rifle and a 589 in smallbore for an aggregate of 1179.
Junior Anna Scheer shot 589 in air rifle, tying for her best score in that category. Scheer also tallied a 574 in smallbore to give her an aggregate of 1163.
Freshman Kylie Delaney attributed an aggregate of 1157 after tying her air rifle record for the third time with a 587 and earning a 570 in smallbore.
Senior Dana Buesseler and freshman Abby Zinsmeyer added their aggregate scores of 1158 and 1138, respectively.
The fall portion of the 2020-21 season will be completed after the Racers take on Jacksonville State on Sunday, Nov. 22.