ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy rifle team (2-4, 0-3) continues Great American Rifle Conference action this weekend as the Midshipmen host Kentucky (1-0, 0-0) in a dual match at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 9:00 a.m. Live results will be available.
 
Accessing the USNA
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is closed to all vehicles without a Department of Defense-approved identification card. All other visitors are encouraged to park downtown and walk through the security gates at Gate 1. When walking on, those ages 18 and over must present a photo identification card (driver's license) to gain access and those ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Scouting the Midshipmen
The Midshipmen enter the weekend on the heels of three consecutive near misses by a combined total of 35 points (11.7). The Mids have topped the 4700-point plateau in two of the four competition dates this season, scoring 4702 in the season opener against TCU / VCU and on the road last weekend at Ole Miss.
 
Freshman Isabella Baldwin and junior Marleigh Duncan are first or second among the Navy shooters in the fall portion of the season. Baldwin leads the team in smallbore with an average of 589.5, while Duncan is second with a 585.5. In air rifle, Duncan holds a slight 593.0 to 592.0 edge over Baldwin for the team lead. The duo is 1-2 in aggregate scoring with Baldwin pacing the team with an 1181.5 average, while Duncan is next with an 1178.5 clip.
 
Clarissa Layland is third on the team in air rifle and aggregate scoring. The senior holds a 591.3 mean score in air rifle, while notching a tally of 1167.0 in the combined average. Additionally, Layland is fifth on the squad with a 575.8 average in smallbore scoring.
 
Freshman Ryan Wee has moved into the top five for the Midshipmen in each scoring category. Wee is tied for third in smallbore with junior Stephanie Milvain in smallbore (578.5), while ranking fifth on the team in air rifle (583.5). His aggregate average of 1162.0 is fourth among Navy shooters.
 
Aside from being tied for third in smallbore (578.5), Milvain is fifth overall in aggregate scoring with an 1159.5 clip. Junior Joshua Potts is fourth overall in air rifle totals (585.0), while finishing just behind Milvain in aggregate total (1156.5).
 
Senior Deonte Hayes (1156.0), sophomore Catherine Dely (1144.5), sophomore Devin Uhrich (1130.5), senior Mark Dely (1126.0), sophomore Grace Shepard (1120.5), sophomore Isabelle Zantow (1119.0), and freshman John Dely (1068.5) round out the scoring for the Midshipmen.
 
Scouting the Opposition
Kentucky opened the 2023-24 season with a 4727-4661 victory over Morehead State at home on Saturday, Oct. 14.
 
The Wildcats posted a 2352 in smallbore to start the match, which was one of the highest smallbore team scores on the young season nationally. UK sealed the match with a 2375 in air rifle for a 4727 total team aggregate. Morehead State posted a 2302 in smallbore and 2359 in air rifle for a 4661 team aggregate.
 
Individually, sophomore Sofia Ceccarello led all performers with a 1190 aggregate, posting a 591 in smallbore and 599 in air rifle. It was the ninth time in her 14 collegiate matches that she has recorded a 599 in air rifle. Senior Emmie Sellers tied a career high in smallbore and was just off her career high in air rifle to put together a strong match. Fellow senior Jaden Thompson posted a 585 in smallbore and set a new career high in air rifle with a 596, tying her career-high aggregate score of 1181.
 
Up Next
Following the match against Kentucky, Navy will take part in the President's Trophy Match against fellow service academies – Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. The annual matchup between service academies will be held in West Point, N.Y. on Saturday, Nov. 4. Competition is slated to begin at 9:00 a.m.