Michael Kulbacki

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team plays host to No. 2-ranked Kentucky Saturday, Nov. 21, at 8 a.m. at the WVU Rifle Range. The match is expected to continue into the afternoon.

The meeting is the first for the Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foes this season; the Wildcats earned a 2-1 edge over the Mountaineers last season, winning the regular season shoulder-to-shoulder match, 4649-4639, and the GARC Championship, 4650-4645. WVU shot past UK at the NCAA Championship, 4643-4638, for its nation-best 14th trophy.

"This is definitely the big match we have been looking forward to," says fourth-year coach Jon Hammond. "Kentucky is a tough team and matches up well against us. Training this past week has gone well, and I think this match will be our best test thus far."

The Mountaineers (5-0, 2-0 GARC) hold a 13-7 series advantage over the Wildcats and enter Saturday's match on a five-match season-opening win streak. The Mountaineers also entered their regular-season match at UK last year on a five-match win streak. The Wildcats were the only team to defeat the Mountaineers last season.

WVU extended its current win streak with a 4638-4562 victory over No. 5-ranked Army on Nov. 14. Sophomore Michael Kulbacki finished first overall with a score of 1167. He also shot a season-best 593 air rifle to win the discipline. Junior Kyle Smith finished first in smallbore with a score of 582.

Junior Andy Lamson paces the Mountaineers with a combined score season average of 1168.4. He also holds the squad's top smallbore season average of 579. Senior Bryant Wallizer is tops on the team with a 589.9 air rifle season average.

Saturday's match concludes the Mountaineers' fall season. The squad opens its spring season against NC State on Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. at the WVU Rifle Range.

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