#3 Alaska-Fairbanks 4634, #2 West Virginia 4653 WVU Rifle Range Morgantown, w.va
Match Results
Stat Comparison
Air Rifle	2308	2295
Small Bore	2211	2318
Aggregate	4634	4653
Top WVU Shooters
Top Air Rifle Top Small Bore Tommy Santelli 595 Points Andy Lamson 577 Points

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The No. 2 WVU rifle team benefited from a strong air rifle relay to defeat No. 3 Alaska-Fairbanks, 4653-4634, this evening at the WVU Rifle Range.

The win is the squad’s first since 1991 over the three-time defending NCAA Champion Nanooks. UAF still maintains a 6-3 series advantage.

The match showcased the talents of two of the most accomplished Division I teams, as WVU and UAF have combined for 23 NCAA titles since 1983.

“I’m very pleased with today’s outcome,” said Coach Jon Hammond. “A win is great, especially given our smallbore struggles earlier today. The team rallied though and came back with solid air rifle scores.

“Alaska-Fairbanks is a great team that we really respect. It’s good to see that we’re on par with them at this point of the season and sets up for a close finish come March.”

WVU sputtered at the beginning of the match, as the Mountaineers were defeated in smallbore, 2308-2295. A solid day in air rifle, highlighted by scores of 595 and 590 from sophomores Tommy Santelli and Andy Lamson, respectively, pushed the Mountaineers past the Nanooks in that discipline, 2358-2326, and solidified the victory for WVU.

Additionally, WVU’s non-scoring team also edged the Nanooks, shooting 2306 in smallbore and 2338 in air rifle for a total of 4644 points.

Santelli won the air rifle competition with his personal-best mark, which included three strings of 100 (100, 97, 100, 99, 99, 100). The score is one point short of the school record 596, set by freshman Michael Kulbacki in the TCU victory on Oct. 25.

“Tommy’s air score should be a great confidence boost for him,” Hammond said. “Today will really help him down the road.”

Freshman Justin Pentz finished third overall in air rifle with a personal-best 588 (100, 97, 96, 98, 99, 98). Additionally, the DuBois, Pa., native also paced the Mountaineers in smallbore with a meet-best 580.

Junior Bryant Wallizer continued to show his improvement in smallbore, as the Little Orleans, Md., native shot a personal-best 579 for the second-straight week. Sophomore Andy Lamson also maintained his record-shooting form in smallbore for the second-consecutive match, as the Colchester, Vt., native nabbed a school record 200 prone score.

UAF’s Layne Lewis led the Nanooks in smallbore (580), while Patrik Sartz paced the squad in air rifle (586).

The Mountaineers continue their tune-up prior to the post season and play host to Akron on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8 a.m., at the WVU Rifle Range. Print View   Email