Rifle team wins conference championship title

U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. – Feb. 3: The Air Force rifle team took home the Patriot Rifle Conference Championships title, winning both the Smallbore and Air Rifle Championships. In Fairbanks, Alaska, on Sunday, the Falcons' air rifle squad, led by freshman Peter Fiori, senior Anna Weilbacher and freshman Casper Schadler, won the air rifle match. In the air rifle, the Falcons finished 2375-2371 against TCU. Nevada took third with a 2362, followed by Ohio State's 2360, Alaska's 2349, and UTEP's 2320.

In final team scoring, Air Force finished with an aggregate 4708, followed by TCU with a 4695, Nevada 4665, OSU 4661, Alaska 4660, and UTEP 4610. The is the team's first-ever PRC title, and the first time since 2016 that Air Force ever defeated TCU (4680-4646).

In air rifle, Fiori, Weilbacher and Schadler advanced to the final round. Fiori, with a 594, finished third in the finals with a 226.9. Weilbacher shot a 596 in the match and finished with a 205.4 in the finals. Schadler, who had a 597 in the match, finished the finals with a 142.3.

Fiori was the top-individual finisher with an 1184, sophomore Nate Peterson, who had a 590 in air rifle, finished fifth overall with an 1173, followed by Schadler's 1173. Weilbacher finished eighth in the top-individual standings with an 1172, and senior Spencer Cap was ranked 10^th among all shooters with an 1167. Junior Logan Ogden finished the day with an 1166.

On Saturday, Air Force bested TCU in smallbore, finishing 2333-2324. Alaska finished third with a 2311, Nevada scored 2304 points, Ohio State had a 2301, and UTEP scored a 2290.

Air Force will host TCU on Feb. 16 for the NCAA Qualifier. The score is one of four that is used by the NCAA to determine the field of eight for the NCAA Championships.

Feb. 2-3, 2019
PRC Smallbore Championships

Air Force – 2333- 2375 = 4708
TCU – 2324-2371 = 4695
Nevada – 2304-2362 = 4665
Ohio State – 2301-2360 = 4661
Alaska – 2311-2349 = 4660
UTEP – 2290- 2320 = 4610

Top 10 Individuals
1. Peter Fiori – 1184
5. Nate Peterson – 1173
6. Casper Schadler – 1173
8. Anna Weilbacher – 1172
10. Spencer Cap – 1167

AF Smallbore Scores