First-year Air Pistol team places second at National Qualifier at Ohio State
3/3/2025 12:52:00 PM | Pistol
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The Flames and Lady Flames competed against the host Buckeyes and Purdue in their first official collegiate shooting competition and advanced to the March 12-15 SSSF National Championships in Talladega, Ala.
Liberty University's Air Pistol team, which replaced the Rifle and Action shooting teams this season, made its debut in a head-to-head competition on Feb. 8 at Ohio State University. The competition was a National Qualifier and consisted of pistol teams from the host Buckeyes, the Flames and Lady Flames, and Purdue University. Liberty had five of its team members compete, with four other teammates making the trip to support them.
Ohio State won the match with 2,237 out of a possible 2,400 points, and Liberty came in second with 1,984 points, followed by Purdue, which accumulated 1,840 points. Liberty's five competing team members were junior Edward Rea with 528 points, followed by freshman Samantha Erick who totaled 512 points, sophomore Ava Kossak with 494 points, and junior Jordan Munster shooting for 450 points. The Flames also had senior team captain Michael McKnight compete as an individual, and he fired a very competitive score of 486.
"To be able to go to a first competition, at a new facility, facing the best team in the country in Ohio State, and perform that well is a testament to the team's hard work over the past several months," Head Coach Bill Crawford said.
It was Liberty's first time competing as an Air Pistol team and the Flames and Lady Flames were able to watch other disciplines of the sport such as Sport Pistol and Standard Pistol while at the competition.
The team is targeting at least 2,000 points out of a possible 2,400 at the Scholastic Shootings Sports Foundation National Championships set for March 12-15 at the CMP Talladega (Ala.) Marksmanship Park.
By Amory Doyle/Student WriterAir pistol teams from Purdue (left), Liberty (center), and host Ohio State competed in the national qualifying event in Columbus, Ohio.
