MURRAY, Ky. – The Jacksonville State rifle team opened the 2019-20 season on Sunday with a tri-match with Ohio Valley Conference foes Murray State and UT Martin.

The Gamecocks finished second in the first action of the new season with an aggregate score of 4640.  JSU posted a 2316 in smallbore and a 2324 in air rifle at MSU's Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.  Jax State finished 12 shots back of the Racers as the home club compiled a 4652.  UTM turned in a 4593.

Jax State had four individuals register top-10 finishes in the individual standings, led by sophomore Owen Goad.  Goad, from Chatham, Virginia tallied a final mark of 1161 to finish fourth on the individual leaderboard.  He had a 579 in smallbore and added a 582 in air rifle.  In his first outing on the collegiate level, freshman Michael Dietz placed one mark back of Goad, but claimed medalist honors in smallbore portion of the match.  The Peralta, New Mexico native fired a 589, four marks better than the second-place shooter.  Dietz carded a 571 in air rifle to combine for an 1160 final mark.

Junior Sam Payne placed sixth individually with a 586 in air rifle and a 572 in smallbore.  Sophomore Mackenzie Van Patten rounded out JSU's top-10 finishers with an 1155, placing her eighth overall.  She scored a 579 in air rifle and a 576 in smallbore.

Murray State's Meike Drewell claimed the overall medalist spot with an aggregate mark of 1169.

The Gamecocks return to action on October 26, hosting Morehead State at the JSU Rifle Range, located in Rowe Hall.