Rifle begins title defense with weekend sweep

The West Virginia rifle team started the defense of its nation's-best 14th National Championship title Saturday.

It was back to its old ways.

The Mountaineers claimed wins over Air Force and Nebraska to start their season on the right foot.

WVU defeated the Falcons 4655-4587 Saturday before downing the Huskers 4660-4634 Sunday in Lincoln, Neb.

"It was nice to finally have a real game. It was fun to be back," said West Virginia head coach Jon Hammond. "It was not a bad weekend. There is a lot we can improve on, but we performed well and had good results."

The Mountaineers defeated Air Force 2305-2301 in smallbore, followed by a 2350-2286 victory in air rifle.

WVU senior Bryant Wallizer finished first overall with a score of 1167, including a first-place air rifle performance of 590.

He continued his success in smallbore, posting a score of 577 – only two points short of his personal best of 579.

"I am satisfied. It was enough to build on, and we finally got to play and see what everyone is capable of," Hammond said.

Andy Lansom tied for second place in the event with a 1163-point performance while teammate Tommy Santelli ended third overall with a score of 1162.

The Mountaineers recorded their best season-opening score in the program's history and added to its season-opening victories streak, now having won its last four season openers.

WVU improved to 16-0 all-time against the Falcons.

Sophomores Michael Kulbacki and Justin Pentz led the team Sunday in the Mountaineers' 4660-4634 victory over Nebraska as each recorded personal best scores of 588 and 589, respectively.

"Mike and Justin both performed really well," Hammond said. "To each have their best personal scores was really good."

The victory over Nebraska gives the Mountaineers their first Great America Rifle Conference win of the season and the series lead over the Cornhuskers, 4-3.

Lamson and fellow junior Kyle Smith finished with the match's best combined score of 1168.

"It was great to see how much Kyle has improved over the semester," Hammond said.

Wallizer, Kulbacki and Lamson all tied for third place, finishing with individual scores of 587.

West Virginia took the first five places in the air rifles in each competition.

The team's weekend victories were enough to show Hammond that the team is capable of being as successful as last year's title team.

"Everyone had good parts and bad parts," Hammond said. "But there were promising signs that everyone is capable of shooting good matches."

The team stays on the road this weekend, traveling to Ohio State Saturday before competing against Akron Sunday.

The two matches will conclude WVU's October road trip, which will be followed by the Alumni match Oct. 24.