March 2, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy rifle team will prepare for next weekend's NCAA Championship by hosting the MAC Championships on Saturday in the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range. The Mids currently own an 8-4 record and were one of eight teams selected for the NCAA Championships next weekend. There will be over 40 shooters from nine teams competing this weekend in the all-day event.

"We are certainly favored, but its very important for us to not look past this match," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "Akron is a very good team and we can't take them lightly or they will beat us. This has always been a good tune-up for us heading into the NCAA Championships and we will see what works and what won't work for next weekend."

Navy, which hasn't shot in two weeks, is led by seniors Chris Schneider and Sarah Bergman. The duo realizes this is their last chance to make some noise collegiately and Kelley has seen the leadership really come through in the last month.

"They seem very hungry and intense to me," said Kelley. "With seniors here, there are a lot of other things to worry about. But with them, it has been different than in the past. Chris (Schneider) is training as hard as he ever has and Sarah has been very intense. They know what their job is and know what is at stake. This is their last go-around."

With a pair of seniors in charge, Kelley is expecting a strong performance this weekend.

"I think we are very motivated," said Kelley. "I expect us to have some great scores this weekend, which will give us some momentum heading into next week."

The NCAA Championships will be held next Friday and Saturday in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Navy contingent will leave on Tuesday.

# GO NAVY #