The UTM rifle squad collected a season-best aggregate score as the Skyhawks competed as a team for the last time this season at the NCAA Qualifier held at Murray State.
UTM faced in-state rival Memphis at the NCAA Qualifier, accumulating 4,628 points after rounds of 2,283 in smallbore and 2,345 in air rifle. The Skyhawks topped Memphis in air rifle but the Tigers were able to win the head-to-head matchup with 4,656 aggregate points.
Kaitlin Korinek was responsible for the highest aggregate score of the two teams, earning 1,173 points behind strong efforts in air rifle (593) and smallbore (580). The senior from Irwin, Pennsylvania came away with her highest aggregate of the season, topping her previous high of 1,170 at Murray State on Nov. 23.
In air rifle, Jennifer Plocinik equaled a career-high with 587 points while Rachel Sprague closely followed with 585 points. Jacob Osborne (580) and Nick Fares (569) completed the lineup for UTM, resulting in a season-high air rifle score.
Korinek and Sprague shared the team lead with 580 points in the smallbore portion of the competition. Osborne posted a 564 and was followed by Plocinik (559) and Fares (557) as Skyhawk representatives.
Also competing for UT Martin was Celia Gelpey and Amanda Mayo. Gelpey accounted for a 1,119 aggregate (564 air rifle, 555 smallbore) while Mayo’s 1,107 aggregate included a career-best 554 in smallbore to go along with a 553 in air rifle.
The Skyhawks will now have to wait until the NCAA Tournament field is officially revealed at 2 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Feb. 25. UTM will look to have an at-large selection in the national championship event, which will take place in Lexington, Kentucky on March 13-14.
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