By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MURRAY, Ky. – The University of Tennessee at Martin rifle squad made the short trek to Pat Spurgin Rifle Range Sunday to take on the No. 6 ranked Ole Miss Rebels, coming up just short in a 4,728-4,624 decision.
Competing for the second time this season, the Skyhawks improved their aggregate score by 22 points from the Oct. 7-8 season opener. Overall, UT Martin compiled 2,289 points in smallbore to go along with a 2,335 score in air rifle.
Guiding the Skyhawks today was senior Nick Fares, who accounted for a team-best 1,165 aggregate points. Alayna Walther followed closely behind with 1,160 points while Joey Kovach secured 1,157 total points. Jesse Chamberlain (1,134), Rachel Sprague (1,131), Jeffrey Bourassa (1,131) and Victoria Petersen (1,094) completed UT Martin’s participation.
In smallbore, Walther topped the Skyhawks for the second time in as many matches today as the sophomore out of Avella, Pa. posted 577 points. Fares (575), Kovach (572), Sprague (565) and Chamberlain (557) rounded out UT Martin’s lineup while Bourassa (559) and Petersen (527) competed as individuals.
Fares managed a team-high score for the second time this season with 590 points. Kovach’s score of 585 joined Walther (583), Chamberlain (577) and Sprague (566) in the Skyhawk lineup. Bourassa fired a 572 while Petersen dialed up a career-high 567 points while shooting on an individual basis.
UT Martin returns to Murray, Ky. on Saturday, Oct. 22 for another neutral-site showdown, this time facing off against Jacksonville State at 9 a.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information