FAIRBANKS, ALASKA – The Jacksonville State rifle team posted the third-best mark in the air rifle competition at the 2015 NCAA Rifle Championships on Saturday and maintained fifth place in the overall standings.

The Gamecocks were making their 14^th NCAA Championship appearance and had its best finish since the 2011 season, when they finished fourth among the final eight teams.  JSU turned in an air rifle mark of 2362.  After Friday's 2302 score in smallbore, Jax State finished with an aggregate total of 4664, which was just shy of the top three totals as Texas Christian and Nebraska registered a two-day total of 4667.

After host-Alaska tallied the best mark in smallbore, defending champion West Virginia surpassed the host to claim 17^th NCAA Rifle Championship and the third in a row.  The Mountaineers put together a 2383 score in air rifle.  Alaska finished runner up overall after an aggregate score of 4700.

Junior Samantha Bullard, sophomore Brandon Muske and senior Cole Tucker paced the Gamecocks as the trio turned in marks of 592.  The three individuals finished 10^th, 11^th and 12 respectively.  Senior Dan McCall added a 586 to round out the JSU scoring.

The Gamecocks collected their ninth overall Ohio Valley Conference title in February at their home range and the fourth conference crown in a row.  Jax State is led by six-time OVC Coach of the Year, Ron Frost.  Frost shared the 2015 OVC Coach of the Year honor with Murray State's Alan Lollar.