By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The 2021 fall campaign ended on a high note for the University of Tennessee at Martin rifle team as Skyhawk individuals set six career-high and one more season-best score at the JSU Invitational.
UT Martin was one of five teams who descended to the Gamecock Rifle Range for the two-day event, which also featured host Jacksonville State, Murray State, North Georgia and UAB. The Skyhawks were partnered alongside Jacksonville State and Murray State on Saturday before wrapping up their participation in the event paired with North Georgia on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Skyhawks established a season-high of 2,317 air rifle points while posting a 2,273 score in smallbore for an aggregate 4,590 points.
Jennifer Plocinik notched a career-best 585 in smallbore to top UT Martin’s scoring lineup. She was followed by Alayna Walther’s 566, Rachel Sprague’s 565 and Nick Fares’ 557. Jesse Chamberlain (545) was also a member of the Skyhawk lineup while Victoria Petersen (career-high 555), Kalen Royal (549) and Abigail Donald (540) also represented UT Martin individually.
During Saturday’s air rifle portion, Fares exploded for a career-best 581 to lead the Skyhawks in that category for the first time in 2021-22. Walther collected a career-high 579 and was joined by Sprague’s 579 and Plocinik’s 578 in the scoring lineup. Chamberlain (561) was also slotted in UT Martin’s lineup while Abigail Donald (season-best 569), Petersen (558) and Royal (556) competed on an individual basis.
The Skyhawks earned a season-high 2,283 points in smallbore on Sunday, generating a 4,588 overall score following a 2,305-point effort in air rifle.
Sprague managed a team-best 577 points in smallbore, leading the team for the second time so far this season. The remainder of UT Martin’s scoring came via Plocinik (572), Fares (career-high 569) and Walther (565). Petersen secured a 499 in her first appearance in the lineup while Chamberlain collected a 556 while competing individually.
In air rifle, Plocinik delivered a career-best score of 588 to occupy the top spot in the Skyhawk lineup. Fares was next with 575 points and was followed by Walther’s 573 and Sprague’s 569. Chamberlain posted a solid 567 out of the fifth slot in the lineup while Royal was responsible for 553 points as an individual.
UT Martin will enjoy a two-month break before returning to action on Jan. 22-23 when it hosts UAB and North Georgia at the Skyhawk Rifle Range.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information