The UTEP rifle team hosted their third home match against Jacksonville State Gamecocks with back-to-back matches on Nov. 16-17.
On Saturday, the rifle team pulled together a 4667 aggregate, falling short of Jacksonville’s aggregate of 4675.
Although the Miners fell short during the first day match-up, freshman Kameron Wells broke an untouched eight-year school record with a score of 598 in air rifle, which surpassed the previous record of 597 that was set by Bailey Powell on Nov. 13, 2016.
Other standout performances on the first day, come from freshmen Carlee Valenta and Julia Czernik.
Valenta was the top shooter of the entire match with her standout aggregate score of 1173, while Czernik achieved a new personal record in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate scores.
Following day one, the Miners gave an outstanding performance on the second day matchup against Jacksonville State with a record-breaking score for UTEP.
The Miners finished with a team-high 2370 in the discipline, which marks the second time in the season the team has set a school record.
Valenta led the miners with an aggregate score of 1176, while also setting a personal best in air rifle with a 594.
Graduate student Isabella Rios followed Valenta with a 1175 aggregate, also setting a personal record in the process with both smallbore and aggregate scores.
The Miners came out victorious against the Gamecocks with a final score of 4677-4674 on the second day.
UTEP rifle is currently ranked No. 16 nationally in smallbore, air rifle, and aggregate averages, which comes as a direct reflection of the consistency of the team this season.
The Miners are set to go up against No. 11 Ohio State at the UTEP Rifle Range on Nov. 23-24.
All stats courtesy of UTEP Athletics.
Iziah Moreno is a staff photographer and may be reached at [email protected]
