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CSU Rifle Team Ranked in 2009-10 CRCA Preseason Poll
Columbus, GA - The Columbus State
University rifle team got its first taste of competition in the
fall and made an impressive showing in the program's first year.
The team's performances made such an impression on opponents that
the Cougar marksmen are ranked 14th in the Collegiate Rifle
Coaches Association (CRCA) 2009-10 preseason poll.
"We started out this year not really knowing where we stood and
with nothing really to compare to. We quickly realized that we have
as much talent on this team as teams who have had programs for
years, and this ranking is really a pleasant surprise," said CSU
head coach Mike Greene.
"We are very pleased with this ranking, being a first-year program,
and we are really looking forward to the spring season when we will
get to compete against a number of the top 15 teams in the country.
It is our opportunity to move up in the rankings and hopefully get
an opportunity to shoot in the national championship," he
added.
CSU has fared well against ranked teams so far. The Cougars have
split matches with Jacksonville State (ranked seventh) and have
defeated Ole Miss (ranked 12th). CSU will get to face Ohio State
(15), Army (5), Navy (8), Murray State (13), Jacksonville State
(7), Nebraska (6), and Kentucky (2) in tournaments this spring.
Several of these will also be present at the NCAA Sectional at the
Citadel on February 13-14, a big meet to help determine the field
for the national championship meet.
To qualify for nationals, the top three match scores from the
season are taken and averaged and then the scores from the NCAA
Sectional are added in and the eight teams with the best scores
will comprise the field for the national championship. This year,
the championship will be hosted by Texas Christian University in
Fort Worth, Texas.
CSU returns to action on January 16-17, hosting the CSU Open at
Army Marksmanship Unit.
