Rifle Starts Season off with a BANG!

[Zipsrifle]

To start off, this is probably the best team ever fielded by UA in shooting. I think we've got an excellent chance at making the NCAA Championships and as you will see, the underclassman are VERY competitive. We're STACKED and DEEP. I think we may be entering the golden years of Zips Rifle!

Now, some details, the way we used to shoot, back in my day, was to shoot Either 60 shots or 120 shots in smallbore (.22 Rifle) and then shoot 40 shots in Air Rifle (Pellet Guns). Things changed this year with smallbore getting a maximum of 60 shots and Air Rifle increasing to 60 shots. This is a BONUS for UA, we've historically been stronger in Air Rifle. Now, onto the press release.

Date: October 2, 2004

Location: Virginia Military Institute in Lexington Virginia

Event: VMI Invitational

Akron Rifle opens season as leader of the Pack

The Zips sharpshooters traveled to Lexington Virginia to open the rifle season at the Virginia Military Institute invitational rifle match. Fielding two teams this season, the Zips managed to capture the first and second place in the four college tournament.

In smallbore the Akron squads dominated the competition with outstanding performances by Junior Angie Engle (576) and Senior team captain Joe Milano (569) capturing first and second individual awards. “Joe and Angie have been working very hard at practice in preparation for this match.†States head coach Newt Engle, “This is a good example of how hard work will pay off.†Not to be overshadowed by their teammates, three new freshman, Martha Carpenter, Stephanie Elmore and April Engle all posted exceptional scores which contributed to this stellar performance.

As if the impressive smallbore performance was not enough, the Air Rifle competition was all Akron. Freshman sensation Shannon Kohatsu earned the top individual spot with her impressive 573. Teammates Angie Engle (572), Sarah Kramer (570) and Stephanie Elmore (569) closely followed in the next three slots. And to show the depth of this impressive team, the Akron Blue team, made up mostly of freshmen, managed to best the Gold team by a slim two points. “Every coach dreams of the athlete who will perform better under match pressure than at practice,†states coach Engle, “This exactly what Shannon proved to me and most importantly, to herself.â€

But now the team must shift gears to pick up speed heading towards October 16 when the Zips will hold their first home match against a very powerful US Naval Academy team. Coach Engle states, “Navy is one of the best teams in the nation and we have a lot to accomplish over the next two weeks in order to be ready for them.†The match will start at 9am at the University Range located in room 7 of Shrank Hall South.

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

576* Angela Engle

569* Joe Milano

564* Sarah Kramer

561** Laura Kuntz

557** Martha Carpenter

557** Tom Colston

554* Stephanie Elmore

545** April Engle

2263 Akron “Goldâ€Smallbore Team Total

2220 Akron “Blueâ€Smallbore Team Total

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

573** Shannon Kohatsu

572* Angela Engle

570* Sarah Kramer

569** Stephanie Elmore

568* Joe Milano

568** Christine Fortunato

566 Laura Kuntz

566** Martha Carpenter

564* Tom Colston

559 April Engle

2274 Akron “Goldâ€Air Rifle Team Total

2276 Akron “Blueâ€Air Rifle Team Total

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Team Results:

#1. 4537 The University of Akron “Gold†2263 + 2276 = 4537

#2. 4496 The University of Akron “Blue†2220 + 2274 = 4496

#3. 4465 North Carolina State University 2229 + 2236 = 4465

#4. 4251 Virginia Military Institute 2143 + 2108 = 4251

#5. 3622 John Jay College NY 1719 + 1903 = 3622

[Guest ***GUEST_Z.I.P.]

YeeeeHawww!!!!

That's no normal "freshman sensation", that's the Aloha State's gift to Zipperdom, Waiakea High School Warrior, Shannon Kohatsu, from the Big Island of Hawai'i.

Rifleman, you might remember my mention of her last Winter or Spring. As I recall, she finished 10th in the state HS meet last fall. If memory serves, you said her score (was it 420?) was "average". She appears to have improved under Newt's tutelage.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I shall report the news to the local media, and to the 58-strong UA Aloha Section Alumni.

Go Zips! Go Hawai'i!