Akron Rifle Battles No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 9 Navy Down to Wire

Saturday, January 14

Annapolis, Md.

9:00 AM

University of Akron

4687

4684

No. 9 Navy

Akron Rifle Battles No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 9 Navy Down to Wire

January 14 | Rifle

AKRON VS. NAVY AND OLE MISS: FINAL RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY | 2022-23 CRCA TOP-20 RANKINGS | 2022-23 AKRON STATISTICS (PDF) | AKRON 2022-23 SCHEDULE

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The 10th-rated University of Akron rifle team squared off against No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 9 Navy on Saturday, Jan. 14 as the Zips (4687) finished in the middle of the final standings between Ole Miss (4700) and Navy (4684).

The Zips didn't meet their own lofty expectations in the smallbore division as Akron's score of 2315 tied the season-low performance. Junior Gavin Perkowski (Bolivar, Ohio) posted a 584 score, while sophomore Cory Stroupe (Brasstown, N.C.) and freshman Rachael Paddock (Perry, N.Y.) each recorded career-high marks in smallbore.

Akron proved they know how to take a hit, dust off and come out fighting as the Zips responded by finishing ahead of both Navy and Ole Miss in the air rifle division. The Zips' team score of 2372 was only two points off the Akron school record. Fifth-year senior Andre Gross (Webster, N.Y.) and sophomore Alexis Kirk (Clarence Center, N.Y.) fired like 595's, which tied for second place overall at the match.

Additionally, the Zips had a total of five additional competitors who broke into the elite 590's.

"I am super proud of how this team not only recovered, but found the energy needed to push themselves to dominate the air rifle division of this match against two higher ranked teams," Akron head coach Newt Engle commented.

The Zips will train hard this coming week in preperation for an action packed weekend of activities at home on the Akron ranges. On Saturday, Jan. 21, Akron hosts No. 4 Ole Miss starting at 9 a.m. On Sunday, Jan. 22, the Zips will suit up again and host No. 3 West Virginia and 11th-rated Ohio State in a hair-splitting doubleheader at 9 a.m.