MURRAY, Ky. – After setting the new benchmark for air rifle earlier this season at Memphis, The University of Tennessee at Martin rifle team shattered the record yet again over the weekend at Murray State, taking part in the 10-day Withrow Invitational.
Currently ranked No. 16 in the country, the Skyhawk mixed squad fired a cumulative score of 2,331 – three points better than their team score at the Memphis Tiger Open on Sept. 29, 2012. The UT Martin mixed team added 2,248 points in smallbore while the Skyhawk women’s team compiled scores of 2,263 (air rifle) and 2,173 (smallbore). Full results from the Withrow Invitational will be available after the tournament closes on Jan. 27.
“After a dismal showing in smallbore, we salvaged the evening with a school record performance in air rifle,” UT Martin head coach Bob Beard said. “The overall result should keep us ranked in the lower part of the Top 20.”
The historic air rifle score by the mixed team was led by Jessica Cobb, who tallied 587 points. Dana Maurizio racked up 583 points, followed closely by Mark McClallen (581) and Steve Hahn (580). Joe Barefoot rounded out the scoring with a season-high score of 574.
In smallbore, Maurizio and McClallen paced the mixed team with scores of 565 apiece. Hahn shot a 561, while Barefoot and Sean O’Brien each fired scores of 557 to close out the scoring.
On the women’s side, Nikki Kroll led the way in air rifle – shooting a score of 572. Jamie Arnett was next with 570 points, followed by Jordan Goodwin (562) and Kelly James (559). Jennifer Greeves concluded the scoring with a score of 534.
Kroll also paced the women’s team in the smallbore competition, compiling 554 points. Goodwin followed closely behind with 553 points, while Arnett (535), James (531) and Greeves (529) also accounted for solid rounds.
Cobb (tied career-high with 563 in smallbore), Jordan Jensen (season-best 543 in air rifle) and Jacob Stolley (season-high 511 in smallbore) were also responsible for some of their best showings of the season.
“Jessica, Dana and Mark all had good, solid performances but some of the others were disappointing,” Beard said. “Hopefully we will do a lot better in smallbore in our own tournament this week and against Rose-Hulman at Murray next weekend.”
Starting today, the Skyhawks host their annual UT Martin Invitational. The event will run through Sunday, Jan. 27, with teams from around the nation competing at the Skyhawk Rifle Range.