FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The UTEP rifle team produced its best team aggregate (4610) when competing in the Patriot Rifle Championships by adding a solid score in air rifle (2320) to its season-high smallbore sum (2290) on the final day of competition at the event on Sunday.
The tally of 4610 is one point shy of the Miners’ campaign best while also easily surpassing the team’s previous top score (4594, 2016) in what is now their fifth year of shooting at the event.
“The focus it takes to come to a second day of a match and shoot at peak performance is unreal,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “The team laid it all out and the scores back it up. The amount of talent this team shows makes me excited to come work with them at the range every day. Now our aim is at NCAA Qualifiers.”
Sophomore Jessica Boyce notched a score of 586 in air rifle to conclude the championships with a team-best aggregate of 1159 (573-586). Freshman Morgahn Warner shot 579 on the day to wrap up the competition with an aggregate of 1158 (579-579).
Junior Mara Rouse checked in with an air rifle effort of 576 to put her PRC aggregate at 1147 (571-576). Sophomore Samantha Miller registered 578 in air rifle en route to a two-day total of 1145 (567-578).
Senior Maranda Nelson shot 577 in air rifle to cap the competition with an aggregate of 1134 (557-577). Freshman Josephine John finished at 568 in air rifle to compile an aggregate of 1129 (561-568).
Air Force took home the PRC crown with an aggregate of 4708 (2333-2375), followed by TCU at 4695 (2324-2371), Nevada with 4665 (2304-2361), Ohio State at 4661 (2301-2360), Alaska-Fairbanks with 4660 (2311-2349) and the Miners at 4610 (2290-2320).
UTEP will get back to work on the range in preparation for its NCAA Qualifier match at the UTEP rifle range with Nevada and Alaska-Fairbanks on Feb. 16.
