As a part of a three-match weekend, UTM hosted the University of Alabama (UAB) Blazers and Jacksonville State (JSU) Gamecocks Jan. 26 at the Skyhawk Rifle Range.
UTM’s first matchup of the weekend was against the Blazers, who had earned first place in four matchups prior to facing UTM. The Skyhawks edged out UAB by an aggregate score of 4,575-4,553 to earn their second win of the season.
Senior Kaitlin Korinek led the team in aggregate score, shooting 1,156 over smallbore and air rifle. She was followed by junior Jacob Osborne (1,142), sophomore Rachel Sprague (1,140), junior Jennifer Plocinik (1,135) and junior Celia Gelpey (1,057).
Against UAB, Korineck went unmatched, ranking first overall in aggregate score. Korineck beat out No. 2 shooter Amy Kohan of UAB 1,156-1,146. UTM also took the No. 3 (Osborne) and 4 (Sprague) overall rankings.
Against the Blazers, UTM compiled total team scores of 2,327 in air rifle and 2,246 in smallbore.
In the air rifle segment, Korineck led the team with a score of 585, followed by Osborne’s career-best of 583, according to Sports Information. Korineck also led the team in smallbore (578) and was followed by Osborne and Sprague, who scored 559.
UTM, despite improving on their aggregate score from the first match of the weekend, lost out in matchup two against JSU 4,604-4,587.
Korinek continued to dominate against the Gamecocks, leading the Skyhawks in smallbore (578) and aggregate (1,154). Plocinik followed closely, ranking second on the team in smallbore (563) and aggregate (1,148), but led the team in air rifle (585).
Freshman Nick Fares scored a career-best 579 in air rifle, per Sports Information.
The Skyhawks capped off the 2019-20 regular season at the Withrow Invitational in Murray, Kentucky. UTM competed alongside Kentucky, Memphis, MSU, North Carolina State, JSU, UAB and North Georgia.
Of the eight teams competing, the Skyhawks finished with the lowest aggregate score, recording a 4,387. The seventh-place North Georgia Nighthawks edged out UTM with an aggregate of 4,557.
Neither the air rifle nor smallbore sections were kind to the Skyhawks. On the team, Gelpey led the way with a 561 score in air rifle, being followed by junior Kalen Royal (1,097). Gelpey and Royal both placed 51st and 52nd in overall individual air rifle standings, respectively.
The Skyhawks now will look towards the OVC Championship, which will be in Martin Feb. 8-9.
Photo Credit / Sports Information
