By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MURRAY, Ky. – Competing against the same squad as it did just seven days ago in the 2021-22 season opener, the University of Tennessee at Martin rifle squad tallied greater scores all around at Murray State Sunday.
The Skyhawks managed an aggregate score of 4,591 points today – up 33 points from last week’s matchup against the Racers. UT Martin posted a score of 2,275 in smallbore (improvement of 21 points) and 2,316 in air rifle (up 12 points). Murray State collected 4,715 points today after firing 2,341 points in smallbore and 2,374 points in air rifle.
In air rifle, Jennifer Plocinik matched her career-best score with 587 points today. Rachel Sprague’s 580 points followed while Nick Fares (575), Alayna Walther (574) and Jesse Chamberlain (565) were official members of the Skyhawk scoring lineup.
Walther, a true freshman from Avella, Pa., topped UT Martin’s smallbore lineup with 577 points. Sprague (569), Plocinik (565), Fares (564) and Chamberlain (545) accounted for the other four slots in the Skyhawk lineup.
Plocinik’s 1,152 aggregate points barely edged out Walther (1,151) for the highest combined score on the UT Martin roster. Sprague (1,149) wasn’t too far behind as she was followed by Fares (1,139) and Chamberlain (1,110).
The Skyhawks also had four student-athletes who competed on an individual basis today. That list included Kalen Royal (555 smallbore, 561 air rifle, 1,116 aggregate), Abigail Donald (538 smallbore, 556 air rifle, 1,094 aggregate), Rachel Mills (515 smallbore, 550 air rifle, 1,065 aggregate) and Victoria Petersen (558 air rifle).
UT Martin is idle until Nov. 6-7 when it heads to Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State for a pair of matches.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information