Air Force Academy

Jan. 31, 2011

U.S Air Force Academy, Colo. - The Air Force Academy's rifle team is beginning to close in on the scores needed to make the national competition. This past weekend, the rifle team competed in two meets against The Citadel Bulldog's men's and women's rifle teams at The Citadel Marksmanship Center, Jan. 29-30. On Saturday, the Falcons won the match 4607-4462-4174, respectively, against the Bulldog's two teams. On Sunday, the Falcons captured the win with an overall score of 4633 versus the Bulldog's men's 4390 and women's 4208 scores. The air rifle squad led the competition with two personal bests with a 2338 and 2337 team scores. The wins push the Falcons' record to 9-4 for the season.

"Sunday was our best team scores so far, so we are finally closing in on the scores needed for nationals. Our air gun team had two personal bests this weekend with a 2337 and a 2338," said head coach Launi Meili. "Smallbore got better the second day, so it's good for us to have two matches back-to-back to figure things out. We'll set our sights now on the match before qualifiers and then be set for our showdown with TCU at the actual Qualifiers in mid-February."

On Saturday, in the open match, the Falcons had a strong hold on the Bulldogs in both the smallbore and air rifle matches. The Falcons led in smallbore with a 2269 and a 2338 in air rifle for the aggregate score of 4607.

In the air rifle matches, the Falcons' Robert Vasquez (588), Tom Chandler (584), Mike Seery (583) and Pat Everson (583) had the top four scores overall. In smallbore, Chandler took the number one position with 575 points. The Citadel's Winston Dorian took second with a score of 569 with the Falcons in the next five places.

Air Force Rifle vs The Citadel, Jan. 29-30, 2011

Team Scores:
Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011
First Place: -Air Force
Smallbore: 2269 - Air Rifle: 2338 - Total Score: 4607

Second Place: - The Citadel Men
Smallbore: 2182 - Air Rifle: 2280 - Total Score: 4462

Third Place: - The Citadel Women
Smallbore: 1997 - Air Rifle: 2177 - Total Score: 4174

Team Scores:
Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011
First Place: -Air Force
Smallbore: 2296 - Air Rifle: 2337 - Total Score: 4633

Second Place: - The Citadel Men
Smallbore: 2144 - Air Rifle: 2246 - Total Score: 4390

Third Place: - The Citadel Women
Smallbore: 1989 - Air Rifle: 2219 - Total Score: 4633