The No. 10 TCU women’s rifle team showed improvement on an individual level, despite its 4,692-4,646 loss to No. 1 Alaska on Saturday.
Sophomore Megan Lee was the top shooter for the day in the TCU Rifle Range with an air rifle score of 590 and an aggregate score of 1174, both of which were her personal bests.
She also shot a 584 (191 kneeling, 197 prone, 196 standing) in smallbore, the third highest score of all shooters in the match.
Head coach Karen Monez said prior to the match, Lee had struggled with the standing position in smallbore. She also said Lee had spent a lot time practicing it the week prior.
“It’s always nice to see when they focus on something they are striving to improve, and then actually see that take place,” she said.
The Frogs shot a 2,318 overall in smallbore against the Nanooks.
Sophomore Kelly Bogart, who beat her previous season-best in air rifle with a 579 (98-97-95-96-97-96), said she was pleased with her performance but needs improvement in smallbore. She shot a 573 (191 kneeling, 197 prone, 185 standing).
Junior Claudia Duksa and freshman Katie Bridges shot career-high scores in air rifle, despite not being included in the team score. Duksa had a 569 (96-99-100-98-95-97) and Bridges had a 585 (97-98-98-98-96-98).
Sophomore Hannah Black, who usually is a leading shooter on the team, fell short as she contributed a 580 in smallbore and a 574 in air rifle.
Freshman Sally Li matched her personal best in smallbore with a 581, but she said she struggled in air rifle, coming out with a score of 583.
When Li first arrived at TCU, she had minimal experience with smallbore. She said she has focused much of her time on smallbore during practice, which has caused her air rifle to slip.
Li said she would focus more on air rifle going into next weekend’s matches, from both a mental and physical standpoint. Bogart reiterated this from a team standpoint.
“We need to really start getting our mental to where it should be so we can start being more consistent,” she said.
Monez said focusing more on the small issues the women are having with their shooting will eventually lead them to earn higher aggregate scores.
“There aren’t any complete overhauls we need to make of anyone’s technique or positions,” she said. “It’s isolating a few issues, and working on that.”
The Horned Frogs will have to make a quick turnaround this week with two home matches starting Friday. They will have a dual meet against Jacksonville State on Friday, and Sunday they will host Air Force, Jacksonville State and UTEP.
