MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State rifle team had an impressive showing at the Western Intercollegiate Rifle Championships held last weekend at Purdue University, finishing second in both smallbore and air rifle and bringing home the prestigious Swanson Trophy. In addition, MSU sophomore Elizabeth Lyon's scores from the season have qualified her to compete as an individual in smallbore three-position at the NCAA Rifle Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas March 13-14.
At the WIRC event, the Eagles shot a 2230 score in smalbore to finish only nine points behind leader Akron. In air rifle, the Eagles fired a 1508 to tie with Ohio State in thew second spot. Lyon was named First-Team All-Conference in both events and was the top shooter in the kneeling portion of the smallbore competition with a 190.
Sophomore Shawn Holley also earned a First-Team all-league honor in smallbore and was named Second-Team All-WIRC in air rifle. Junior Kevin Mulligan took home a Second-Team All-Conference award in smallbore. His 656 air rifle total placed second among the hundreds of shooters at the event. Lyon's 385 air rifle score placed her third among the conference's elite shooters.
The Swanson Trophy has been awarded since 1939, and its the first time for MSU to take home the hardware.
Lyon will be one of among 48 total competitors at this year's NCAA Rifle Championships, to be held March 13-14 at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on the campus of Texas Christian University. Smallbore three-position relays will be held on March 13 and air rifle on March 14. Eight teams qualified to compete in both events, and Lyon will be one of four other individuals shooting for an NCAA title.
She will be the first MSU rifle student-athlete in the history of the program to compete at the NCAA championship.
