Rifle has off day during Sectional Matches

[Zipsrifle]

The Rifle team didn't fare as well as we would have liked during the sectional matches. Believe me it's tough to go in there and focus when you've been building up for this match the entire season. Unlike other sports where you can go out there and run around to burn that energy off, you have to suppress it and that is hard to do. As I've mentioned before, Rifle is more about controlling your mind than controlling your body. Few sports are as mentally challenging as Target Shooting.

As I mentioned last week, a deep team with no clear cut top shooters isn’t always a good thing. Though some good scores were put up, and another personal best, the top 4 shooters weren’t all on the first team. It looks doubtful that the Zips will make the NCAA

Championship match this season but there are still the conference championships and I like the Zips chances there. So, good showing, keep your heads up and finish the season off right. Oh yea, sorry it took 2 days to post this, work has been a bee-otch this week.

Date: February 12, 2005

Location: The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Event: NCAA Qualifier and NRA Sectional Rifle Match

Akron Rifle Stumbles at Qualifier

Milano continues to lead the team.

The stage was set for Akron Rifle to possibly qualify for the NCAA championships for the first time ever. The match held at The University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh turned into the “Battle of the Roo’s†as the UMKC Kangaroo’s and the Zips went head to head for high match honors. But it was not in the cards for the team who has been consistently improving throughout the season. The Zips (4520)managed to cling on to second place, finishing behind The University of Missouri at Kansas City (4596).

Despite the heartbreaking smallbore performance, not all was doom and gloom for the Zips. Senior Joe Milano continues his winning ways by leading the team with an impressive 576 out of a possible 600. “My goal was 585 for this match but I just couldn’t find the groove,†States Milano. Finishing in second by a mere hand full of center shots was Freshman Stephanie Elmore (572). And out of nowhere comes Junior Cristina Ciarula who fires a 569 shattering her personal best score by 10 points.

In air rifle, Milano set the bar pretty high by posting an impressive 580 out of 600. Teammates Senior Sarah Kramer and Freshman Martha Carpenter backed up their team captain with a pair of 573’s. In the process, Carpenter did manage to fire one of her 6 targets as a perfect 100. “Earning a 100 in the standing position with either rifle is a remarkable accomplishment,†states coach Newt Engle, “Martha has been getting closer and closer to doing this and I am pleased she finally earned this honor.â€

The zips only have 4 practices to figure out what happened at UWO before they face off against a powerful Norwich University of Vermont for the last home match of the season this Friday the 18th. Going into this match the Zips and Norwich are tied for second place in the Mid Atlantic Rifle Conference. This match will go a long way towards determining who will qualify for the conference Championships held on March 5. This rare Friday match will start at 9am in the marksmanship facility located in Schrank Hall South, room #7.

Smallbore Rifle Scores: *Gold team, ** Blue team

572* Joe Milano

572** Stephanie Elmore

569 Cristina Ciarula **New Personal Best Score**

561** Tom Colston

559* Angie Engle

559* Sarah Karmer

559** Martha Carpenter

556* Laura Kuntz

556** Christine Fortunato

544 April Engle

541 Ben Soehnlen

540 Shannon Kohatsu-Jelsma

532 Ashley Pawlak

2246 Akron “Gold†Smallbore Team Total

2248 Akron “Blue†Smallbore Team Total

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Air Rifle Individual Scores: *Gold team, ** Blue team

580* Joe Milano

573* Sarah Karmer

573** Martha Carpenter

568 Shannon Kohatsu-Jelsma

562* Angie Engle

559* Stephanie Elmore

558 Ashley Pawlak

554** Laura Kuntz

553** Christine Fortunato

552 Cristina Ciarula

550** Tom Colston

547 April Engle

539 Ben Soehnlen

2274 Akron “Gold†Air Rifle Team Total

2230 Akron “Blue†Air Rifle Team Total

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NewtNotes: For those who did not hear, UA rifle alum and All-American Jack Jones will be inducted into The University of Akron Sports Hall of Fame this Friday after the Norwich match. If you would like to go to the banquet, you can call Ken MacDonald at 330-699-5272. Reservations were supposed to be turned in by the 11th, but Ken can work wonders at the last minute. Come cheer for Jack!

Lastly, I previously asked for you to remember rifle alum Matt Jacqumain who is going to Iraq