Army West Point Athletics
Dempster and Pakkam Cop GARC Honors
February 23, 2024 | Rifle
WEST POINT, N.Y. – On the eve of the Great America Rifle Conference Championships, Army West Point rifle coach Leighton Dempster and senior Anusha Pakkam received individual honors during the banquet held Friday evening at Eisenhower Hall.
in just her second season at the helm, Dempster was named the GARC Coach of the Year. Pakkam earned All-GARC honorable mention in smallbore and was also named Army's Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipient.
Dempster is just the second Army coach to earn this prestigious award, joining former coach Ron Wigger, a three-time selection who earned honors in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Dempster led Army to its first winning season since 2014-15 authoring an 8-5 mark, along with posting its most wins since 2012-13.
Pakkam has ranked among Army's top shooters in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate scoring throughout her final year. One of five shooters selected for honorable mention in smallbore, Pakkam is the first Black Knight named to that unit since 2019.
Competition at the two-day GARC Championships, hosted by Army, begins Saturday at Tronsrue Marksmanship Center with smallbore at 8 a.m. The championships conclude Sunday with air rifle at 8 a.m.
Seven teams will be vying for the team title in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate, along with individual honors. The awards ceremony crowning the team and individual champions will be held Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the championship.
Among the seven-team field are Army, West Virginia, Kentucky Ole Miss, Navy, Akron and Memphis. The Black Knights closed out the conference tied for fourth in the overall standings while listing third in smallbore and fourth in air rifle.
in just her second season at the helm, Dempster was named the GARC Coach of the Year. Pakkam earned All-GARC honorable mention in smallbore and was also named Army's Scholar-Athlete of the Year recipient.
Dempster is just the second Army coach to earn this prestigious award, joining former coach Ron Wigger, a three-time selection who earned honors in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Dempster led Army to its first winning season since 2014-15 authoring an 8-5 mark, along with posting its most wins since 2012-13.
Pakkam has ranked among Army's top shooters in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate scoring throughout her final year. One of five shooters selected for honorable mention in smallbore, Pakkam is the first Black Knight named to that unit since 2019.
Competition at the two-day GARC Championships, hosted by Army, begins Saturday at Tronsrue Marksmanship Center with smallbore at 8 a.m. The championships conclude Sunday with air rifle at 8 a.m.
Seven teams will be vying for the team title in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate, along with individual honors. The awards ceremony crowning the team and individual champions will be held Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the championship.
Among the seven-team field are Army, West Virginia, Kentucky Ole Miss, Navy, Akron and Memphis. The Black Knights closed out the conference tied for fourth in the overall standings while listing third in smallbore and fourth in air rifle.
Players Mentioned
/ Rifle
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