Air Force Academy

Air Force Rifle -- Nov. 19 - UTEP - At USAFA
This Week: On Nov. 19, the Air Force Academy rifle team will host a match with UTEP at the Cadet Gymnasium rifle range.

Last Time Out: After finishing the first day of competition on Saturday with a nine point lead, Air Force fell to the Wolfpack, 4594-4613 on Sunday, Nov. 13. One Falcon set a personal record, junior Justin Raines of Knoxville, Tenn., set a PR 570/600 in smallbore.

In Sunday's air rifle match, AFA's senior Chris Hill finished with a 575/600, Raines followed with a 573. Freshman Clifton Mulkey fired a 572 and junior Jess Palomba finished the day with 569. Nevada-Reno's top finisher was Morrill with a 582/600. Senior Tim Siemer was the top Falcon in air rifle with a 579/600.

Saturday's aggregate team scores were 2305-2296 in the .22 smallbore competition and two Falcons were tied for the No. 1 spot in the firearm; they were Hill and senior Tim Siemer. Both finished the day tied at 580/600. Nevada-Reno top finisher was Morrill with a 584.

Team Scores: 1. Nevada-Reno (4613) 2. Air Force (4594)

AFA's Record: The rifle team is now 3-4 overall.

Personal Records: On Saturday, Nov. 12, versus Nevada-Reno -- sophomore Justin Raines shot a smallbore (.22) personal record 570/600. Notching another PR was Fr. Ryan Lowenstein, a walk-on team member from Albuquerque, NM. His 555 X 600 was three points above his previous best. Fr. Chelsea Welsh, another walk-on team member, shot her fourth consecutive season PR with a 568 X 600.

Other PRs: Nov. 6, 2005: President's Cup - freshman Clifton Mulkey with a 584/600 in air rifle; freshman Daniel Cannard 563/600 in air rifle.

AFA's Top Marksman (Nevada-Reno):


Air Rifle
1. -- Tim Siemer (579)
2. -- Chris Hill (575)
3. -- Justin Raines (573)
4. -- Clifton Mulkey (572)
5. -- Jess Palomba (569)

Smallbore (.22):
1T -- Hill (580)
-- Siemer (580)
3. -- Mulkey (575)
4. -- Raines (570/PR)


From The Team: "We went into the match extremely confident and ready to bounce back from our loss to Army. Although the smallbore phase went quite well for most of us, we ran into some problems during the air competition and finished much weaker than we should have. Our team is looking forward to the opportunity of facing the Wolfpack again next spring," said Raines.

From the Coach: "We did not get the scores we anticipated, but the team must move on and look toward the upcoming match up with UTEP on Nov. 19 at the rifle range." "I am especially looking forward to digging in against the Miners of UTEP. "We're at the point in our season where we need several of our cadets to follow Timmy's example. We need our shooters to stand tall, hold steady, and shoot 'em in the middle."

Head coach Justin Broughton: Head coach Justin Broughton is in his seventh year at the helm of the Air Force rifle team. In October 2005, Broughton became the first-ever civilian rifle coach. Broughton is a 1994 Air Force Academy graduate. He was a four-year letter winner, team captain and 1994 honorable mention All-American. Coaching the Academy's rifle team since 1999, Broughton's teams have amassed a 77-136 team record with two top 10 team finishes. During this time, the Falcons have been represented at the NCAA Championships in 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004.

Distinguished Visitors: N/A
Rifle_NevReno Results: update Siemer Air Rifle score: 579