Feb. 11, 2006
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The fifth-ranked Navy rifle team shot its third best score of the year, routing John Jay, 4660 - 4166, in the NCAA Qualifier on Saturday in the Bancroft Rifle Range. The score will be combined with Navy's top three regular-season scores to determine if Navy will qualify for its 15th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.
"This has been one of the craziest weeks I have ever experienced as a coach," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "I had kidney stones last weekend so I missed two days of practice, so the kids were on their own. Then Chris Schneider (Fort Mill, S.C.) gets pneumonia early this week, and is in closed quarters for the entire week basically. To have our third-best score of the year is a remarkable achievement. They have shown great perseverance all year and to have a performance like this when it really counts is a testament to their character and commitment."
Navy outshot John Jay in smallbore, 2320 to 2066, then outscored John Jay in air rifle, 2340 to 2100. In smallbore, Schneider, still showing the effects of pneumonia, fired a 589. Josh Albright (Shelton, Conn.) followed with a strong 587. Lisa Kunzelman (Constantia, N.Y.) and Christina Schade (Eagle River, Alaska) tallied a 574 and 570, respectively.
In air rifle, Albright tallied a 589, Sarah Bergman (Fort Mill, S.C.) added a 586. Kunzelman shot a 583 and Schneider rounded out the scoring with a 582.
Coach Kelley thinks the score will be good enough for an NCAA Championship berth, but isn't counting anything out.
"It will take a very good effort, a record-breaking performance, from a team below us to break in above us," said Kelley. "This team showed great perseverance all season and didn't give up. They made a dramatic recovery from the fall. We are very proud of the performance."
Navy still has two meets remaining, including its Star Match next weekend against Army. The Black Knights are currently ranked fourth in the country. Action will get underway at 8:00 a.m., at the Bancroft Rifle Range.
# GO NAVY #
