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Robert Gillespie went to south Florida in search of a big inside linebacker to fill one of two positions on West Virginia's defense in 2013. The player he found at American Heritage Plantation is even bigger
Mountaineers are trying to stand out in a growing list of offers for this American Heritage Plantation linebacker.
Former West Virginia University Fullback Owen Schmitt signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. Schmitt worked out for the Raiders on Tuesday and was quickly signed by Oakland.Raiders Offensive
Schmitt signed a contract shortly after completing a workout for the Raiders
Former West Virginia University Linebacker Najee Goode has inked a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Goode was a sixth-round draft pick by the Bucs and recently participated in Buccaneers rookie
Najee Goode and Keith Tandy have both signed four-year contracts with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the recent history of conference realignment in college sports has taught us anything it is that it tends to happen in waves. The rumblings and rumors of more realignment are starting to register on
Florida State could be a key player in the next round of conference realignment
For years, West Virginia University supporters have been looking for a more competitive league schedule. Rarely did the rest of the Big East step up to deliver one. There was the occasional game against
WVU is moving to a more difficult football conference with a very different schedule. But, just how different is it in terms of strength of schedule and travel?
MORGANTOWN -
The No. 2-ranked West Virginia rifle team opened its 2011-12 home season
at the WVU Rifle Range today with a 4693-4637 victory over No. 6 Army.
The
Mountaineers' (3-0, 2-0 GARC) winning score was 11 shots short of the
school record, 4704, last achieved at the 2011 Great American Rifle
Conference (GARC) Championships in February.
WVU earned its
second GARC victory of the season in dominating fashion, trumping the
Black Knights in air rifle, 2364-2326, and smallbore, 2329-2311.
Six
Mountaineers counted toward the team's scores: seniors Michael Kulbacki
(air) and Justin Pentz (air and smallbore), junior Petra Zublasing (air
and smallbore) and freshmen Taylor Ciotola (air and smallbore), Meelis
Kiisk (smallbore) and Thomas Kyanko (air and smallbore).
"Today's
scores show the team's potential for the season," says coach Jon
Hammond. "Everyone shot really well, and more importantly, I think
everyone shot to his and her capabilities. We still left some shots out
there that we know we can get back. I'm excited to see where today's
performance will take us this year."
Zublasing swept the
individual competitions in record-setting fashion, shooting a
collegiate-record 600 (100-100-100-100-100-100) air rifle and a 586 (196
prone, 197 standing, 193 kneeling) smallbore for a combined total of
1186.
It is believed that Zublasing is the first female
collegiate shooter to earn the 600 air rifle score. Additionally, though
females only shoot 40 shots in air rifle internationally, her score
today is comparable to a world record.
"Petra's air rifle score
was the obvious highlight of the day," Hammond says. "She started her
relay well, but once she hit 500, she struggled with the last 10 shots. I
know she fought for those last five 10s, but she was determined to get
that 600 score. The fight and determination she showed today really fits
her personality."
The Mountaineers took the top three
individual overall finishes, with Kyanko scoring 1169 for second place
and Pentz finishing third with a score of 1168.
Kelly Buck paced the Black Knights and finished fourth overall with a combined score of 1165.
Pentz
and Army's Richard Calvin finished behind Zublasing in air rifle with
matching 590 scores. Kulbacki shot 588 and placed fourth, while Kyanko
finished in fifth place with a score of 586. Additionally, junior Chance
Cover shot a personal-best 581 and placed eighth overall.
Four
Mountaineers shot collegiate personal-best scores in smallbore today.
Kyanko finished second with a 583, while Kiisk shot 581 and tied Buck
for third place. Ciotola tied Army's Joseph Todaro for fifth place with
score of 579, while Cover shot 569.
Today's win gives the Mountaineers a 32-10 series advantage.
The
Mountaineers return to the WVU Rifle Range next weekend and play host
to GARC foe Memphis on Oct. 29 and No. 8 Murray State on Oct. 30. Both
matches will begin at 8 a.m.
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