Nov. 6, 2010

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Navy rifle team placed third out of four teams at the President's Trophy featuring the four service-academy schools of Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. The Mids totaled a 5729 to finish 51 points behind Army's 5780. Air Force was second with a 5776.

Navy struggled right off the bat, totaling just a 2823 in smallbore, and despite winning the air rifle portion of the event, the hole wassimply too deep to rally from.

"It seems that is the story of our team whenever we have an event like this," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "We just dig ourselves too big of a hole in smallbore and can't come back, despite strong air rifle performances. We were just way off in the smallbore discipline today and I have no reason why."

The Mids totaled a 2823 in smallbore, led by Alison Lankes with a 573. Chris Burleson scored a 571, Ryan Williams fired a 565, Steven Frazier scored a 559 and George Planeta totaled a 556.

Navy then scored a 2906 in air rifle, led by Lankes' 588. Burleson contributed a 580, Williams a 583, Carol Boyd added a 579 and Planeta rounded out the scoring with a 576.

"I thought we had some good performances, especially from Alison Lankes," said Kelley. "She finished second in air rifle and just had a good day overall. I was also pleased with Boyd at 579 in air rifle. She has been working hard in practice and she showed great improvement today."

Navy will close out its fall season next Saturday with a home match against John Jay, beginning at 9:00 am at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range.

# GO NAVY #