MARTIN, Tenn. – Coming off one of their best performances in decades in their season opener last weekend, The University of Tennessee at Martin rifle teams continued their success on Sunday at the Ole Miss Invitational in Oxford, Miss.
Before taking part in the Ole Miss Invitational, it was announced that the Skyhawk mixed team was victorious in the Memphis Tiger Open after all the scores had been tallied from last weekend. UT Martin’s 4,601 points were one point better than Ole Miss, as senior Jessica Cobb took home individual championship honors for her 590 air rifle score.
“We are real proud of Jessica – she beat a couple All-Americans in the field,” Skyhawk head coach Bob Beard said. “Right behind her was another of our own, as Steve Hahn shot a 588.”
Amongst several top rifle teams in the nation, the Skyhawks fared well in the Ole Miss Invitational. The mixed team finished seventh with an aggregate score of 4,584 (2,267 smallbore, 2,317 air rifle), while the women’s squad came in 11th with a total tally of 4,460 points (2,199 smallbore, 2,261 air rifle).
In smallbore, the mixed team was led by sophomores Hahn and Joe Barefoot (equaled career-high), who each fired a 570. Dana Maurizio shot a 567, while Mark McClallen (560) and Sean O’Brien (533) completed the scoring. Competing as individuals, Cobb recorded a score of 536 while Jacob Stolley posted 500 points.
Kelly James paced the women’s team in the smallbore event, equaling a career-high with 564 points. Nikki Kroll followed with a 558, while Jordan Goodwin and Jennifer Greeves finished within one point of each other at 539 and 538, respectively.
Hahn’s 585 led the mixed team in air rifle, followed by Maurizio’s 583. Cobb finished with a tally of 576, followed by McClallen (573) and O’Brien (569). Barefoot (558) and Jordan Jensen (524) each competed as individuals in the event for the mixed squad.
For the women’s team, Kroll shot a team-best 580 in air rifle, followed by James (573) and Jamie Arnett (570). Goodwin’s 538 rounded out the scoring.
“The team members have worked really hard this fall,” Beard said. “It is showing in the scores and I am very proud of them. We are going to ease up now to let them concentrate on midterms and other academic priorities. After fall break we will begin gearing up for the challenge of Morehead State and Kentucky in late October.”
The Skyhawks take on OVC rival Morehead State on Saturday, Oct. 27, followed by a matchup against Kentucky one day later.