COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Jacksonville State rifle team finished the 2011 NCAA Rifle Championships in fourth place as it posted a 2335 in the air rifle competition.

The Gamecocks compiled a final tally of 4650 at the national event and finished behind 2011 Champion, the University of Kentucky, West Virginia and defending title winner, Texas Christian University.

"It would be an understatement to say that I'm proud of what the team has accomplished this year.  As fate has it, we peaked at the right time…during the NCAA Qualifier and at the National Championship," said JSU Head Coach Ron Frost.  "I wish we could have done it a little earlier - at the Conference Championship but I guess that just wasn't in the cards."

Junior Andrea Dardas led the JSU charge with a 588. Monica Fyfe finished with a 585 followed by Brian Christensen's mark of 583. Samuel Muegge rounded out the JSU scoring with a 579.

JSU shot their best smallbore score of the season, and an air rifle score which was just a little below their average, giving them an aggregate (total) score of 4650, which was the third highest of the season.

"When the pre-season polls came out, we were ranked 12th, not even in the running for a berth at a slot in the championships.  The team worked their magic and we ended up in a trophy slot – 4th," added Frost.  "Again, I'm proud of their performance and look forward to even bettering it for next year!  Having no graduating seniors this year, we're in a pretty good position to do so."

20011 marked Jax State's tenth appearance in the NCAA Championship field.