Army Second in Smallbore at GARC Championships

Friday, February 24

Akron, Ohio

TBA

Army West Point

GARC Championships

Army Second in Smallbore at GARC Championships

February 24, 2017 | Rifle

AKRON, Ohio – The No. 12th-ranked Army West Point rifle team shined on the opening day at the Great America Rifle Conference Championships as the Black Knights placed second in smallbore with a score of 2311.

This mark was one shy of the Black Knights' season high in this event.

NUNN WAS AMONG INDIVIDUAL SMALLBORE FINALISTS
- Yearling Payne Nunn was among the individual qualifiers in smallbore after firing a 582 (one shy of his season best) in the relay scoring to earn the final eighth spot.
- He then moved up in the final rankings to place fifth with a final score of 401.
- North Carolina's Lauren Phillips was crowned the individual winner firing a 436.

COACH WEB WRIGHT'S COMMENTS ON NUNN'S PERFORMANCE:
"Payne did a super job today. He was in the final with an Olympic Gold medalist and held his own. It is a great job on his part and I am super proud."

TEAM SCORING (2nd):
- Army finished behind defending champion and No. 2-ranked West Virginia's score of 2341, while outscoring No. 6 Kentucky by five points for the runner-up spot.
- It is the Black Knights' highest championship finish in this discipline since capturing the title in 2012.
- No. 8 Nebraska (2303) and No. 11 Memphis tied for fifth place firing scores of 2303, while No. 15 Navy (2295) finished seventh (2295). No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 16 Akron tied for eighth place with identical scores of 2286.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Army compiled a foursome firing squad of 2311 to earn the runner-up spot.
- Nunn posted Army's top relay score of 582, and placed eighth among 46 shooters to qualify for the individual finals.
- Yearling Nathan Brewer finished two points back with a 580 to place 12^th.
- Firstie Marvin Lewis fired a 578 to notch 15^th.
- Firstie Danielle Cuomo rounded out Army's unit with a 571.
- West Virginia's Ginny Thrasher finished first in the relay shoot with a 588.

COACH WEB WRIGHT'S COMMENTS FOLLOWING THE TEAM'S FINISH:
- "I am really proud of this team right now," commented Wright. "They have made tremendous progress this year.
- "Competition in this conference is really intense and the team continues to come through when it counts.

NEXT UP:
- Army closes out competition at the GARC Championship on Saturday in air rifle at 8 a.m.