WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Norwich University rifle team opened their season with a three-way match against #14 Army West Point and John Jay College on Saturday, posting an impressive showing by setting a new-program high score and collecting their first Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC) victory of the 2024-25 season.
The Cadets fired a final score of 4361 across the morning and afternoon, tallying a 2167 score in smallbore and a 2194 effort in air rifle en route to topping their previous program-best score by 24 points, set last season. Army posted a 4667 combined score, topping both Norwich and John Jay, but the Cadets' efforts bested the Bloodhounds' 4295 score.
"If this is where we start the season, then I am excited to see where our student-athletes can go by the end of the season," said Head Coach
Patrick Knapp. "Their focus on the range is great to see."
Saturday's match served as a MAC Rifle ranking competition for the Cadets, who unofficially sit in fourth place after the affair.
The Cadets were led by freshman
Sophia Ashford (Northfield, Vt.), who debuted with an aggregate score of 1117 (550 smallbore, 567 air rifle). Sophomore
Ben Kelley (Niantic, Conn.) followed with a total score of 1086 (543 smallbore, 543 air rifle).
"Our student-athletes were focused today," said Assistant Coach
Todd Mansfield. "They were happy with the team score, but are also motivated to improve every match during the season."
NORWICH LEADERS:
- First-year Sophia Ashford (Northfield, Vt.)
- 1117 aggregate, 550 smallbore, 567 air rifle
- Sophomore Ben Kelley (Niantic, Conn.)
- 1086 aggregate, 543 smallbore, 543 air rifle
- Junior Aiden Burris (Marietta, Ga.)
- 1077 aggregate, 545 smallbore, 532 air rifle
- Sophomore Evan Elders (Spring Hill, Fla.)
- 1063 aggregate, 529 smallbore, 534 air rifle
- First-year Makeda Watson (Braintree, Mass.)
- Sophomore Sage Kontny (Clancy, Mont.)
- 552 air rifle (personal best)
- Senior Jasmin Mann (Virginia Beach, Va.)
The Cadets will look to stay undefeated in division play against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, traveling to Reading, Mass., on Saturday, Oct. 26, for a match-up with the Engineers. Start time is slated for 9:00 a.m.
