Oct. 12, 2008
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The eighth-ranked Navy rifle team had its fourth straight solid performance to start the year, blowing past MIT, 4623-4464, on Sunday at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range. The win moves Navy's record to 8-0 overall.
"Our team score wasn't as good as yesterday, but that's because I didn't pick the right people for the counting team," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "They are making it tough on me because a lot of players are putting up good scores."
Navy fired a 2288 in smallbore, led by Chris Burleson's 586. Burleson's score was the highest for a Navy shooter since the NCAA adopted new targets two years ago, and just five points out of the top five all-time at Navy.
"Burleson, obviously, had a very good day on smallbore," said Kelley. "It was a big step for him. He showed his resiliency and potential after having a rough day yesterday."
Kelley also got another strong smallbore performance from Alex Karacsonyi, who shot a 581, one day after firing a 573. The 581 was a new career best. However, the score did not count on the Navy counting team.
"He backed up yesterday with another strong performance," said Kelley. "That is very encouraging to see."
Kenan Wang (574), Alison Lankes (565) and Lisa Kunzelman (563) rounded out Navy's smallbore scoring.
"This was the first time Wang was on the counting team and he had a very good score," said Kelley. "We have put a lot of work into smallbore, and it is showing in our results."
Navy shot a 2335 in the air rifle discipline, one day after firing its second-highest score in school history with a 2349. Burleson led Navy with a 590, while Kunzelman followed with a 586. Lankes and Karacsonyi totaled a 581 and 578, respectively.
"The air was a little off from yesterday, but was still pretty good," saod Kelley. "I am pleased with the first two weeks of competition and where we stand right now."
Navy will be off next weekend, before heading to Boston to face MIT on Oct. 25. The match will be the last before the President's Trophy on Nov. 8, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
"We have lots of work ahead of us, but we are looking forward to it," said Kelley. "It's very encouraging to see different people step up and perform well."
# GO NAVY #
