ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Despite posting a program-record 2,365 in air rifle on Sunday, eighth-ranked Navy rifle (8-7, 3-4 GARC) dropped its home match to No. 9 Nebraska (4-7, 2-4 GARC), 4,671-4,661, at the
Bancroft Hall Rifle Range to cap off a two-match weekend.
Torrance Kang (Jr., Columbia, Md.) and
Gabriella Mayes (So., Rio Rancho, N.M.) led the Midshipmen with a pair of 1,169s in overall scoring. Mayes fired a career-high and program record 597 in air rifle. Prior to Sunday, the program record of 595 had been reached on four different occasions.
"We had a pretty good match even though the outcome did not go our way," head coach
Mike Anti said following the match. "Individually we had a number of great performances. Five individuals had personal best scores and
Gabriella Mayes not only had a personal best but she also set a team record of 597 in air rifle. Our air rifle team score was also a team record. We beat Nebraska by six points in air rifle but unfortunately it was not enough to make up for the 16-point deficit in smallbore. We look froward to our next competition against Army in a couple of weeks."
In smallbore, the Midshipmen compiled a score of 2,296 points with Kang firing Navy's top counting score in the discipline with a 577.
Mark Amdahl (So., Albuquerque, N.M.) finished smallbore with a 574 and
Michael Zanti (So., Norfolk, Va.) posted a 573. The Midshipmen's final two starters, Mayes and
Kestrel Kuhne (Sr., Everett, Pa.), each finished with 572s with one counting towards Navy's team score.
Lucas Figi (Sr., Bozeman, Mont.) fired a 579 as a non-starter for the Midshipmen's top score.
Trailing by 16 points following smallbore, the Midshipmen tried to rally for the second-straight match and fired a program-record 2,365 in air rifle. Navy's come from behind attempt fell short after it outscored the Huskers by just six points and dropped a 4,671-4,661 decision.
Mayes led all individuals in the field with her career-high 597 in air rifle, which bested her 594 she recorded once this season and once during her freshman campaign. Kang finished her day with a 592 in air rifle and Amdahl notched a 590.
Kestrel Kuhne and Zanti tied one another for the Midshipmen's final counting score with a pair of 586s. As a non-starter,
Luke Knollinger (Jr., Valley Grove, W. Va.) matched his career-high with a 588.
Emily Cheramie led all competitors in the field with a total score of 1,177 points and she was the lone shooter to break 580 in smallbore with a 585. Macey Way finished air rifle with a 596 to guide Nebraska in the event.
The Midshipmen return to action in two weeks to host Army in the annual Star Match on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8:30 a.m. from the
Bancroft Hall Rifle Range.
