Shooting Competition
Collegiate Rifle: Underdog Akron Stuns Top-Ranked Rivals, Wins Four-Team Tournament
Collegiate Rifle: Underdog Akron Stuns Top-Ranked Rivals, Wins Four-Team Tournament
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Columbus, Ohio
Last weekend, the Akron Zips, despite being ranked No. 17 by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA), surprised the collegiate shooting community by emerging victorious against three more highly-ranked rivals in a four-team tournament held at Columbus, Ohio. Facing off against teams such as No. 14 Ohio State, No. 12 UTEP, and No. 10 Murray State, Akron embraced its underdog status and delivered an exhilarating performance. The Zips achieved their second-highest team score of the season, clinching their place at the top of the leaderboard and setting two school records along the way. Among the standout performances was that of Akron senior Natalia Siek, who shattered the school smallbore record with a remarkable score of 594-40X. This exceptional performance not only set a new program record but also earned her the title of top-gun at the match. Fellow senior Rachael Paddock joined in on the glory, finishing in second place with an impressive score of 586. Notably, Paddock executed a pair of perfect 100s while in the prone position, a feat achieved by only two other competitors out of the 34 registered. Additionally, the air rifle category saw Kameron Wells from UTEP claim top honors, posting the elusive perfect score of 600 out of 600. With all 60 shots hitting bullseyes, Wells performance was a sight to behold. Not to be outdone, Siek, building on her success in smallbore, continued her stellar day by achieving a stellar score of 596 in air rifle, marking her career high. By accumulating a total of 1190 points from both the smallbore and air rifle matches, Siek set yet another record, breaking the previous aggregate record by five points. The competition took place at Ohio State University and served as a grand display of talent among collegiate shooters. The results reflected the hard work and determination of the Akron team who had come together for this crucial tournament. The Zips' next event is scheduled for November 15 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where they will face off against the No. 7 ranked Midshipmen at 9:00 a.m. The stakes will continue to run high as college teams vie for top scores and rankings in their respective divisions. This success story from Akrons rifle team not only exemplifies the high caliber skills that college competitors possess but also showcases the excitement of collegiate shooting sports. It highlights the competitive spirit and dedication of these student-athletes as they navigate the challenges of both their sport and academics. As more tournaments unfold, keep an eye on the up-and-coming teams and individuals in collegiate rifle, as their pursuits often indicate shifting dynamics within the shooting sports landscape. The rising talent and performances reflect a promising future for the sport. Finally, the latest victories serve as a reminder that rankings can often be misleading; in sports, anything can happen. In summary, the Akron Zips surprise victory at this tournament opens conversations about the unpredictability of competitive shooting and strengthens interest in the collegiate rifle scene. Early reports suggest that this might be the spark that propels them further in future competitions, potentially making them a team to watch. As the the season continues to unfold, we can only anticipate how the competitive landscape will shift and evolve. What remains clear, however, is that teams like Akron are carving their names into the history of collegiate rifle shooting, and their stories deserve to be celebrated.