Match Results from Saturday: http://ncaarifle.org/Home/Scorecard?MatchId=1570
Match Results from Sunday: http://ncaarifle.org/Home/Scorecard?MatchId=1487
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State rifle team broke several team records over the weekend, including the smallbore team score, overall aggregate team score, three score average, individual smallbore, and individual aggregate.
On Saturday, the Buckeyes fired a team-record aggregate score of 4713 in their match at Converse Hall against West Virginia (4740). This bested the teams’ previous aggregate records of 4711 which was fired in 2019. In smallbore, the team fired a record score of 2345 besting the team record that was set earlier this season at Alaska. Viktor Kiss led the way with a team-record individual score of 593. Viktor’s aggregate score of 1186 was also a program record. Derek Keiser fired a 586, Paige Hollowell a 584, Nate Wehrlen a 582, and Lillian Warren a 569 to round out the record performance.
John Hamilton led the way for Ohio State’s individuals firing a score of 580 while Philip Becker (575), Tyler Hanson (573), Frank Steyn (564), Joel Potts (561), Eva Horgan (552), and Natalie Katsuyama (543) rounded out individual scoring. In air rifle the team fired a score of 2368, led by Derek Keiser and Viktor Kiss who finished with scores of 596 and 593, respectively. Lillian Warren (590), Paige Hollowell (589), and John Hamilton (589) rounded out team scoring. Nathan Wehrlen led the way for Ohio State’s individuals with a score of 585. He was followed by Natalie Katsuyama (584) Philip Becker (580), Tyler Hanson (579), Frank Steyn (579), Eva Horgan (575), and Joel Potts (574).
On Sunday Ohio State traveled to Akron to compete in a three team match with the Zips (4695) and West Virginia (4743). The team had another solid performance, posting a team score of 4701. In smallbore the Buckeys fired a score of 2338 led by a personal best score of 590 from Derek Keiser. He was followed by Viktor Kiss (588), Nathan Wehrlen (583), Paige Hollowell (577), and Lillian Warren (576). Tyler Hanson and John Hamilton led the way in individual scoring with matching scores of 573. They were followed by Philip Becker (565), Eva Horgan (562), Frank Steyn (559), Natalie Katsuyama (557), and Joel Potts (556).
In air rifle the team fired a score of 2363 and were again led by Derek Keiser who fired a score of 595 while Viktor Kiss (592), Lillian Warren (589), Paige Hollowell (587), and John Hamilton (575) rounded out team scoring. Tyler Hanson fired a personal best 590 to lead the way for the individuals while Nate Wehrlen (582), Philip Becker (582), Eva Horgan (581), Joel Potts (567), and Natalie Katsuyama (566) rounded out individual scoring.
Ohio State’s performances over the weekend also raised its three score NCAA qualification average to 4703.33, which is the highest in program history and the first time in that the team has had a three score average over 4700.
Coach Tanoue: “Overall it was a great weekend for the team. We have never before competed on back to back days once at home and once on the road so that was a unique challenge that I feel everyone handled really well. Although there have been setbacks along the way I feel our belief and momentum has been building throughout the season and setting program records is surely evidence of this. That said this team knows that there are still significant goals out there for us to achieve and we will have three matches at three different locations over the next three weekends to continue our drive down the home stretch of the season.”
Ohio State returns to action next Saturday, January 28 in Lincoln, Neb. against the Huskers.
