North Carolina State University Athletics
No. 17 Wolfpack Rifle Readies for Crucial Weekend Meet
2/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Rifle
Feb. 11, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - This Saturday, Feb. 12, Coach Keith Miller and the No. 17 NC State rifle team face its toughest challenge of the season at the Collegiate Sectional meet in Lexington, Va. Serving as the Wolfpack's third match of the spring, the Collegiate Sectional will act as an NCAA qualifying meet for the team.
"This weekend is really big, not only for us, but for college rifle squads in general," said Miller. "Every NCAA program around the country will shoot over the weekend, send in their scores, and be ranked by the middle of next week. The top eight team scores for small bore and air rifle will each get an invitation to the NCAA's. Schools can qualify in both guns or just one."
The Wolfpack, currently led by junior Jennifer Marshall and sophomore Matthew Gifford, find its best shot at qualifying for the NCAA's in the air rifle competition. While Marshall leads the team in air rifle and total score, Gifford has been controlling the small bore as of late. In addition to Marshall and Gifford, Miller stresses that for his team to qualify this weekend, they must all compete at a high level as one unit.
"We really need strong performances from everyone this weekend because that's what it takes to make the NCAA's," Miller said. "We'll see if we have the mental toughness to make it this year. Our kids are clearly capable, now we just need to perform at a higher level more consistently. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself."
Next weekend the rifle team will be back in action, hosting the Triangle Shoot Out on Saturday, Feb. 19. Only the third home meet for the red and white this season, the match will take place at the Wake County Range in Holly Springs, N.C. For directions to the Wake Country Range click here.
