Gun Laws And 2a
WVU rifle breaks records in first meet of the season
WVU rifle breaks records in first meet of the season
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Memphis, Tennessee
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team opened its 2025-26 season with a decisive 4745-4718 victory over No. 10 Memphis on Saturday at the R.F. Fogelman Rifle Range in Memphis. The Mountaineers scored 2394 in the air rifle discipline, setting a new program record that surpassed their previous benchmark of 2393, which had been achieved in each of the last two seasons.
Griffin Lake demonstrated exceptional skill by scoring a perfect 600 in air rifle, becoming only the 11th Mountaineer in the team's history to achieve this milestone. In addition to his stellar air rifle performance, Lake also recorded a score of 594 in smallbore, bringing his aggregate total to 1194. His performance in air rifle, as well as the overall aggregate, marks new career-highs for the junior, showcasing his growth and potential as a competitor. Notably, he managed to deliver top marks across all three disciplines, reinforcing his status as a key player in the team.
West Virginia's victory continues a remarkable streak of 27 consecutive match wins, a run that spans three seasons and dates back to the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign. This dominance in competitions underscores both the team’s talent and their unwavering commitment to excellence in the sport.
In addition to Lake's standout performance, the Mountaineers also prevailed in the smallbore discipline, winning 2351-2347. Their overall record against Memphis now stands at an impressive 19-2, marking their effectiveness in head-to-head matchups against this rival.
Other notable performances came from juniors Lauri Syrja and Jennifer Kocher, alongside sophomores Ashlyn Blake and Camryn Camp, who all contributed valuable scores for the team. Kocher hit impressive new career highs in both smallbore and aggregate score, achieving a total mark of 1186 through scores of 598 in smallbore and 597 in air rifle. This solid performance placed her second overall in the competition and yielded the third-best score in the smallbore category.
Syrja turned in a commendable fourth-place finish at this season-opening event, achieving an aggregate mark of 1182, which included a score of 584 in smallbore and a 598 in air rifle, with his air rifle mark representing the third-best in the field. Additionally, Blake and Camp each finished with notable scores of 1180, tying for sixth place. Blake managed a score of 581 in smallbore and matched her career-high with a 599 in air rifle, while Camp scored 584 in smallbore and 596 in air rifle, with her air rifle mark being the second best in the tournament.
Freshman Hana Strakusek and Jack Ogoreuc, along with Junior Maximus Duncan, also represented the Mountaineers, contributing to the team's overall success with scores of 1178, 1167, and 1162, respectively. The depth of talent within the squad was evident as they collectively demonstrated their abilities, pushing the team to new heights.
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers will continue their competitive season with matches against No. 8 Murray State and No. 19 UT Martin on Sunday, Oct. 5. These upcoming confrontations will be an opportunity for the team to further solidify their rankings and extend their winning streak as they prepare for another shot at success inside the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range in Murray, Kentucky.
The triumph of the WVU rifle team not only highlights their current dominance in collegiate shooting but also signals a remarkable depth in their roster that could lead to sustained success throughout the season. As they face tougher competition in the upcoming matches, it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their winning streak. The performances of athletes like Griffin Lake set a high bar for upcoming competitors across the nation, and early reports suggest that this season may be one for the record books.