Oct. 6, 2006
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With four All-Americans returning from last year's fourth-place NCAA Championship finish, its pretty easy to understand why head coach Bill Kelley could be giddy.
However, he has learned over the years to keep his expectations in check, because you may never know what will happen during the course of the season. Despite that, Kelley is looking for an outstanding 2006-07 season.
"I don't want to get too hopeful," said Kelley. "When you set your expectations too high, you don't want to be let down in the end. On paper, we return four All-Americans and have a very deep team. Over the summer, Lisa Kunzelman was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team and Alex Karacsonyi was invited to join the National Developmental Team. There is a lot of talent on this team.
"Every year, it seems that I say this is one of our best teams ever, but I actually may mean it this year," joked Kelley.
The reason for the optimism, besides the four returning All-Americans, is the depth that Navy will have this year. In years past, Kelley would know before the season started who the top four shooters would be. This year, he has no such luxury.
"Everyone is putting up very good numbers early, and I have no idea who we are going to use," said Kelley. "The entire team has a strong work ethic and everyone is capable of shooting good scores."
Leading the returnees will be a pair of seniors in Sarah Bergman and Chris Schneider. Both were first-team All-America in one of the two disciplines and will be counted on to contribute immensely again. Both of them will be attempting to become Navy's first four-time All-Americans since William Suggs accomplished the feat in 1987-90.
"They have been very impressive in preseason workouts, not only shooting, but as far as leadership," said Kelley. "They have taken the reigns and know that this is their last chance to make some noise collegiately."
Navy's lone All-American in both disciplines, junior Josh Albright, returns as well. He earned second-team All-America accolades in smallbore and honorable mention in air rifle. Albright has become even more consistent this year, after recording five of the top eight overall scores for the Mids a year ago.
"Josh has had a strong fall and looks to pick up right where he left off a year ago," added Kelley.
The last returning All-American, a second-team air rifle selection, Lisa Kunzelman is back for her sophomore year. Kunzelman had an outstanding summer that saw her earn a spot on the U.S. Junior National Team and finish 29th at the World Shooting Championships. Kunzelman recorded three of the top five air rifle scores on the squad a year ago.
"She had a fantastic freshman year and improved immensely over the course of the year," said Kelley. "With a full year under her belt, she will be even better this year."
Other returnees that look to crack the lineup are Karacsonyi, Monica Amagna, Ryan Miller and Christina Schade.
"All of them are putting up good numbers and are capable of earning a spot in the lineup. I will feel comfortable with whoever we put out there," said Kelley.
If Navy is to improve on last year's 9-2 dual-meet record, it will have to do it against the toughest competition in America.
The Mids open the year on Oct. 7 against the University of the Sciences, then take a three-week hiatus before heading to the Great Frontier and a pair of duals against perennial powers Alaska-Fairbanks and Nebraska. The teams finished 1-2 in last year's NCAA Championships, and according to Kelley, could be even stronger this year.
After the trip to Alaska, Navy returns to compete in the President's Trophy with Army, Air Force and the Coast Guard in West Point. Army was the 2005 NCAA Champion and finished third last year. The Mids finished third in the President's Trophy last year, after winning the title in every year it had competed since Kelley took over in 1999-2000 as head coach.
The Mids will then see Army again later in the year in the Star Meet at West Point on Feb. 17.
"The competition will be as good and strong as ever," said Kelley. "Alaska-Fairbanks, Nebraska, Army, Kentucky, Murray State, Ole Miss and Jacksonville State all have the potential to win the NCAA title," said Kelley. "I would like to think we could be in the mix as well."
Kelley is also thrilled for the chance to head to Alaska to compete.
"The Nanooks are consistently one of the top teams in the country and it will be an absolute thrill for us to go out there and compete," said Kelley. "We are really looking forward to the trip and are very thankful for the support we have received to make that trip happen."
Another change in NCAA rifle is that the smallbore discipline has changed and will result in lower scores. It will separate the "really-good shooters" from the good shooters and could be frustrating for some shooters. Kelley hopes that his squad can get over the mental block of shooting lower scores.
"The shooters have been shooting in the 580s their whole lives, and now if they shoot 575, it will be an outstanding score," said Kelley. "It requires you to be much more accurate and kind of simulates the targets in the Olympics. It sets the sky as the limit for smallbore. It can get frustrating, but everyone shoots at the same target, so all the scores will be lower.
"We know the schedule is tougher, but we feel it will prepare us for the NCAAs," said Kelley. "This team has the talent to perform very well. Now, it is just a matter of going out and doing that."
# GO NAVY #
