Jan. 16, 2006

PALMYRA, Pa. -- The Navy rifle team used a strong air rifle performance to edge past Akron, 4,614 to 4,557, on Sunday night in the Palmyra Tournament. The tournament is one of the toughest in the nation, spanning three weeks. Navy, which improved to 5-0 with the victory, is the defending champion in the event.

Sarah Bergman (Fort Mill, S.C.) led Navy in air rifle with a solid 589. Josh Albright (Shelton, Conn.) added a 580, while Chris Schneider (Fort Mill, S.C.) and Lisa Kunzelman (Constantia, N.Y.) scored a 578 and 577 respectively. As a team, Navy outscored Akron in the air rifle, 2,324 to 2,278.

In smallbore, Schneider led the Mids with a 582. Albright tallied a 577, Kunzelman a 569 and Nicholas Hogberg (Stratford, Conn.) scored a 562. Navy outscored the Zips, 2,290 to 2,279, in the smallbore.

"The good news is we won and Bergman shot well again," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "The top scores in each discipline are putting up good numbers, but we need our lower scores to improve. Our air rifle team score was pretty good, but we really need some work in smallbore."

Navy will host Alaska-Fairbanks next Friday at 1:00 p.m., in the Bancroft Rifle Range.

# GO NAVY #