By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The No. 20 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin rifle squad completed a weekend sweep today, downing No. 17 North Georgia by a 4,608-4,586 margin in a showdown between nationally ranked teams at the Skyhawk Rifle Range.
In a shoot-four, count-four format, UT Martin accumulated season-highs in aggregate scoring (4,608 – six points better than its previous high at Murray State on Jan. 15) and smallbore scoring (2,287 – four points higher than its previous best at the JSU Invitational on Nov. 21). The Skyhawks also managed 2,321 points in air rifle en route to their second victory in as many days.
Jennifer Plocinik led UT Martin in aggregate scoring for the sixth time in eight opportunities during the 2021-22 campaign. Her 1,164 equaled a season-high as the redshirt senior from Lehighton, Pa. joined Nick Fares (1,155) and Rachel Sprague (1,153) as the only three Skyhawks to shoot in both smallbore and air rifle events.
UT Martin’s season-high smallbore score consisted of Plocinik (581), Sprague (569), Alayna Walther (569) and Fares (568).
In air rifle, Fares guided the Skyhawks for the second straight day with a 587. Sprague tied a season-high score with 584 points while Plocinik (583) and Jesse Chamberlain (567) generated the final two scores.
Coming off consecutive victories as part of an impressive spring campaign, the ascending UT Martin squad will return in a little less than two weeks when it heads to Murray, Ky. for the 2022 Ohio Valley Conference Championship on Saturday, Feb. 5.
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information