Zips finish second in MAC to finish season

[Zipsrifle]

Well, the Zips took second to a national powerhouse in Navy. Even if they would have had their best day all year, they probably wouldn't have overtaken the numbers Navy put up. Scores seem a little down from their peak mid-season but it was still a decent showing. A good end to a stellar year. Attached at the end is a link to the NCAA Championship qualifiers. If you click you'll see that the Zips were entirely capable of making the top 8 in Smallbore. Still work to do in Air Rifle. Coach said they would need to hit 2300's to have a shot (pun intended) at making the Championship match.

The team continues to get better and better every year. I think we'll crack the top 8 very soon. The team was very deep this year and though Tom, Sarah, and Joe will be missed, I expect a strong showing again next year. Recruiting should continue to improve also with the continued success. Great season folks, it was exciting for at least one member of zipsnation. I can remember when the team had an outside chance at making the NCAA Championships. This year, it wouldn't have suprised any of the Zips Rifle fans if we would have cracked the Top 8. Work hard in the off season, that is one thing that we'll need to do to get over the top next year. What is the another thing? Pray that coach gets better at picking the team

Date: March 5, 2005

Location: Virginia Military Institute in Lexington VA

Event: Mid Atlantic Rifle Conference Championships

Akron Rifle is #2 in MAC

Milano and Carpenter lead the way

In the Mid Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC), participating schools are placed in classifications ranging from pro-marksman to master. Earning its way into the master classification, The University of Akron competes against other master class schools like The US Coast Guard Academy, MIT, Norwich, and The US Naval Academy. The top two schools from each class are invited to compete for the title of conference champion. This season the Zips were invited to the Virginia Military Institute in Virginia, to go head to head with Navy for the top spot in the conference. The Navy midshipmen proved they had what it takes to out shoot the Zips and capture the title of MAC champions.

Senior Team Co-captain Joe Milano concluded his record setting collegiate shooting career in grand fashion by leading his team with a 576 out of a possible 600 in the smallbore division. With the help of his teammates the Zips finished a slim 89 points behind Navy.

In the air rifle division Freshman sensation Martha Carpenter lit up the scoreboard with her team leading 574 out of a possible 600. With the help of her teammates Shannon Kohatsu-Jelsma (567), Tom Colston (565), and Angie Engle (552), the Zips crept to within 83 points of Navy. Co-captain and graduating senior Tom Colston tied his career best score with his performance at this match.

This match will conclude the season for the Zips, but Navy will travel to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to compete in the NCAA championships starting on March 10. This was a banner season for the Zips who captured the Western Intercollegiate Rifle Conference title and is now the #2 team in the Mid Atlantic Rifle Conference as well as setting many new school records this season. “This is absolutely the toughest part of the season for me as a coach,†states coach Newt Engle, “Seniors Tom Colston, Sarah Kramer and Joe Milano have been with us for 4 years and will now graduate and join the ranks of honored alumni. As I wonder how the seniors could possibly be replaced I see the eager faces of the remaining team members dreaming of next season, just like Tom, Sarah, and Joe used to do.†What the seniors have started will undoubtedly be carried on by very capable returning and new Zips sharpshooters.

Smallbore Scores:

The US Naval Academy

Albright

Matt

583

Miller

Mike

588

Albright

Josh

577

Schneider

Chris

576

Total: 2324

The University of Akron

Milano

Joe

576

Kramer

Sarah

561

Elmore

Stephanie

558

Kuntz

Laura

540

Total: 2235

Air Rifle Scores:

The US Naval Academy

Albright

Matt

588

Miller

Mike

586

Bergman

Sarah

580

Schnieder

Chris

587

Total: 2341

The University of Akron

Carpenter

Martha

574

Kohatsu-Jelsma

Shannon

567

Colston

Tom

565

Engle

Angie

552

Total: 2258

NewtNotes: The MAC web page has a complete listing of the NCAA qualifying teams and individual invitations. These invitations are based solely on the qualifier match which the Zips fired on February 12th at Oshkosh. Definitely not a reflection of how this team has been doing all season. The MAC web page is located at:

MAC Rifle