Record-Setting Weekend for Akron Rifle Against Trio of Ranked Opponents

Saturday, January 21

Akron, Ohio

9:00 AM

University of Akron

4707

4708

No. 5 Ole Miss

Record-Setting Weekend for Akron Rifle Against Trio of Ranked Opponents

January 23 | Rifle

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

AKRON VS. OHIO STATE/WEST VIRGINIA: FINAL RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY | 2022-23 CRCA TOP-20 RANKINGS | 2022-23 AKRON STATISTICS (PDF) | AKRON 2022-23 SCHEDULE

AKRON, Ohio - The 10th-rated University of Akron rifle team went head-to-head with a trio of ranked opponents last weekend as the Zips hosted No. 3 West Virginia, No. 5 Ole Miss and No. 11 Ohio State at the Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range.

At the end of the day on Saturday, Jan. 21, Akron nearly upset the Rebels by posting a 4707 effort to a 4708 score from Ole Miss. Akron's team score represented the second-highest team effort in program history.

The Zips backed up a solid 2330 smallbore performance with an outstanding 2377 in air rifle. The air score smashed the school record of 2374 set on Jan. 15, 2022 at Nebraska. Junior Gavin Perkowski (Bolivar, Ohio) and sophomore Alexis Kirk (Clarence Center, N.Y.) fired like scores of 596 to tie for the match's top-gun award.

Freshman Rachael Paddock (Perry, N.Y.) appeared above the 590 line with a career-high score of 592, while the Zips had a total of five team members above the 590 mark with nearly every other team member in the upper 580's.

"I will gladly say this team was absolutely on fire Saturday and has the depth to stay that way," Akron head coach Newt Engle commented.

With a quick turnaround, Akron did it again on Sunday, Jan 22, with West Virginia Mountaineers and Ohio State. The Zips fired a score of 4695 and were bested by the Mountaineers (4743) and Buckeyes (4701).

Freshman Andrew Duross (Marlborough, Mass.) registered a team-high 1176 combined scorecard, while Senior Andre Gross (Webster, N.Y.) posted a team-best 584 scorecard in the smallbore and Perkowski paced the Zips in the air rifle with a 594 total.

"I find it amazing we can shoot a team score of 4695 and feel dejected," said Engle. "Truth is we performed above average in a major meeting of some NCAA powerhouses. I really can't be upset about that, but like the team, I know we have a lot more to give."

Akron returns to competition traveling to the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington Va., for the last regular season match on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Zips will face off against VMI and Jacksonville State starting at 9 a.m.