READING, Mass. - The Norwich University rifle team returned to action after a brief break, narrowly dropping a 4447-4327 contest to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Saturday morning in a Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC) clash at Reading Rifle and Revolver.

The Cadets' 4327 final included a strong 2189 effort in the smallbore, topping the Engineers' 2173 score.  MIT bounced back in air rifle, defeating Norwich, 2274-2138.

Sophia Ashford (Northfield, Vt.) was the top individual finisher among all shooters, totaling an 1136 aggregate effort between 572 and 564 splits in the smallbore and air rifle, respectively.

Aiden Burris (Marietta, Ga.), Evan Elders (Spring Hill, Fla.), and Ben Kelley (Niantic, Conn.) all had strong showings for the Cadets, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh with 1076, 1066, and 1047 aggregate scores, respectively.

Brady Simmons (Middletown, Del.) and Makeda Watson (Braintree, Mass.) rounded out the Norwich effort, with Simmons shooting in air rifle competition while Watson participated in smallbore action.

NORWICH LEADERS:

• First-year Sophia Ashford (Northfield, Vt.)
  • 1136 aggregate, 572 smallbore, 564 air rifle
• Junior Aiden Burris (Marietta, Ga.)
  • 1076 aggregate, 547 smallbore, 529 air rifle
• Sophomore Evan Elders (Spring Hill, Fla.)
  • 1066 aggregate, 545 smallbore, 521 air rifle
• Sophomore Ben Kelley (Niantic, Conn.)
  • 1047 aggregate, 525 smallbore, 522 air rifle
• Junior Brady Simmons (Middletown, Del.)
  • 523 air rifle
• First-year Makeda Watson (Braintree, Mass.)
  • 511 smallbore

Norwich's next scheduled outing will be the Cadets' home opener, set for Saturday, Nov. 16, when Norwich entertains John Jay College at Baroffio's Rifle Range.