Rifle: WVU Prepped for Olympic Trials

By Shannon McNamara for WVUsports.com
December 01, 2011 06:01 PM

Coach Jon Hammond

MORGATOWN, W.Va. – Members of the West Virginia University rifle team are set to compete at the Olympic Team Air Rifle Trials, sponsored by USA Shooting, this weekend, Dec. 2-4, at the CMP Marksmanship Center – South, in Anniston, Ala.

This weekend is the first of the trials’ two parts, with the second trial held Feb. 24-26, 2012, at the CMP’s North facility in Camp Perry, Ohio. The team selection for the 2012 London Summer Olympics will be based on the aggregate of the four match courses and two best finals.

“This is a match that only comes around every four years, and it’s a big event,” says Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond. “The student-athletes all have a chance to gain a huge amount of experience this weekend, as they will shoot against the nation’s best shooters.

“While no one is entering the trials with high expectations, this is a trial and anything can happen. I’m hoping the experience gained this weekend will be beneficial to the team’s future success.”

All of the Mountaineers will shoot at this weekend’s trials, with the exception of senior Michael Kulbacki, junior Chance Cover and redshirt-sophomore Daniel Sojka. Those Mountaineers affiliated with foreign national teams are permitted to shoot this weekend as visitors.

A full recap of the trials will be available following the weekend at www.MSNsportsNET.com.

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