The University of Akron Athletics
Rifle Competes Against Nationally Ranked Opponents at Ohio State
October 14 | Rifle
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Akron rifle team finished third on Friday and fourth on Saturday in a pair of matches featuring nationally ranked teams at the Lt. Hugh W. Wylie Range at Ohio State.
The Zips entered the weekend ranked No. 15 in the latest Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) poll. On Friday, Akron competed against host and No. 12 Ohio State, along with No. 9 Air Force. The Zips Gold team fired a 2265 in smallbore and a 2294 in air rifle for a total of 4559. Air Force had 4625, while Ohio State had 4582 and Akron Blue 4516.
On Saturday, No. 1-ranked West Virginia joined Akron, OSU and Air Force. The Mountaineers shot 4690, Air Force 4619, Ohio State 4594, Akron Gold 4571 (2277 in smallbore and 2294 in air rifle), Akron Blue 4514 and Akron Green 4434. The Zips Blue and Gold squads fired at OSU, while the Green team shot back at the Akron home range.
Individually, highlights included freshman Alan Agnew leading the team in smallbore on Friday by posting a 571 out of a possible 600, good for fifth overall. Agnew was followed closely by junior Victoria Brown (569) and sophomore Elizabeth Berlin (566). On day two of the smallbore matches, Agnew improved to 572, but his back up came from a different direction in the form of freshmen Crystal Reynolds (571) and Tim Hopkins (569).
On Saturday, Agnew also worked his way into the Akron record books by setting a new 20 shot kneeling record of 198 besting the 2011 record of 196 held by senior teammate Adam Auclair.
In the air rifle division, day one top honors belonged to junior Chelsey Frink and her 579. Rounding out the Akron top-3, Berlin and Reynolds fired 574s. On day two, Agnew lit up the board with a 582 and was supported by Berlin (574) and Brown (573). Berlin enjoyed a great weekend as she set personal bests with both rifles.
After a weekend off, the Zips will host their first home match of the season with John Jay (N.Y.) College and Indiana (Pa.) University on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 9 am at the Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range in Schrank Hall South.
