UAB Rifle Posts Second-Highest Score Against No. 5 Alaska-Fairbanks

Saturday, February 17

Fairbanks, AK

9:00 AM

UAB

University of Alaska Fairbanks

UAB Rifle Posts Second-Highest Score Against No. 5 Alaska-Fairbanks

2/21/2018 3:23:00 PM | Rifle

Results

By: By Bill Vogrin, special to uabsports.com

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Blazers Rifle Team posted its second-highest overall score of the season at Saturday's NCAA Qualifier, the last match of the regular season.

The performance was especially impressive because it came against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks, ranked No. 5 in the nation and on their home rifle range in Fairbanks.

The Blazers' total included their highest air rifle score all year, as well as a solid score in small bore, a new event for the UAB team this season.

Despite UAB's strong performance, the Nanooks prevailed, 4,688-4,519, over the Blazers.

"I am so proud of the team's performance," Blazers Coach Lori Goodwin said. "Our athletes were able to overcome both the mental and physical fatigue from 18 hours of travel to achieve some really good scores. We weren't intimidated going up against a powerful Nanooks squad that's led by a member of the U.S. national team."

Freshman Ben Vogrin led the way for the Blazers, placing 10th overall with a 1,137 overall score. The Colorado native shot 556 in small bore and scored a 581 in air rifle – his best collegiate match to date. Vogrin also posted two perfect 100 series in the air rifle event.

Also in the top three for the Blazers were Freshman Olivia Francisco, with a 1,130 aggregate score, and Senior Selina Curren, who posted a 1,127.

"This was a big trip for our team; and we were also able to enjoy some of the wonderful scenery and other offerings in the area," Goodwin said. "I'm especially glad all of our seniors had the opportunity to participate, with one of them, Micah Smith, shooting a career high in Fairbanks. It was a great sendoff for them as they head toward graduation, and, I hope, a trip of a lifetime."

For Curren and fellow senior Sarah Banks, it was an opportunity to bond as a team.

"It was an amazing experience," Curren said. "We all worked together both on and off the range and were able to bond as a team."

Banks said it was a humbling experience and an honor to go and compete side by side with such amazing teammates."

The Fairbanks match was the team's final regular season competition before the SoCon Championships, scheduled for March 3-4 at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

TEAM RESULTS
Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks - 4,688
Small Bore – 2,327; Air Rifle - 2,361
UAB Blazers – 4,519
Small Bore – 2,220; Air Rifle - 2,299

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Ben Vogrin
Freshman – Colorado Springs, Colo.
Aggregate - 1,137
Small Bore - 556
Air Rifle - 581

Olivia Francisco
Freshman – Florissant, Colo.
Aggregate - 1,130
Small Bore - 560
Air Rifle - 570

Selina Curren
Senior- Pelham, Ala.
Aggregate - 1,127
Small Bore - 554
Air Rifle - 573

Lilly Vonderau
Sophomore – Helena, Ala.
Aggregate - 1,125
Small Bore - 550
Air Rifle - 575

Holly Hayes
Freshman – Los Alamos, N.M.
Aggregate – 1,116
Small Bore - 546
Air Rifle – 570
Sarah Banks
Senior, Captain – Hueytown, Ala.
Air Rifle: 566
Isaak King
Senior – Dothan, Ala.
Air Rifle: 556
Micah Smith
Senior – Hoover, Ala.
Air Rifle: 547
Steven Bugg
Senior – Hazel Green, Ala.
Air Rifle: 535