JACKSONVILLE – Senior Mekenna Richardson and freshman Mackenzie Van Patten turned in All-Ohio Valley Conference performances during the 2019 OVC Rifle Championships to lead the Jacksonville State rifle team at the Gamecock Rifle Range on the JSU campus.

The Gamecocks, who fired a 2312 in smallbore on Saturday, carded the second-best air rifle mark with a 2351.  JSU finished third with an aggregate score of 4663.  The Racers of Murray State claimed their fourth consecutive overall OVC crown after a total mark of 4685.  Morehead State finished second with a 4666.  UT Martin rounded out the team leaderboard with a 4594.

Richardson became a three-time All-OVC shooter as she earned accolades in smallbore and air rifle twice in her four seasons as a Gamecock.  She garnered spots on the All-OVC Second Team in smallbore and All-OVC First Team in air rifle.  The Rhodesdale, Maryland, native is now a two-time first team selection in air rifle.  Richardson fired a team-best 592 in air rifle on Sunday.

Van Patten's first conference championship experience will be remembered as a solid start to her career as she was named All-OVC in both smallbore and air rifle along with being named to the league's all newcomer squad in both smallbore and air rifle.  Van Patten, from Nampa, Iowa, was a first team honoree in smallbore and a second team selection in air rifle.  After scoring a 585 in smallbore on Saturday, Van Patten posted a 588 in air rifle.

Sophomore Sam Payne added a 587, while freshman Lacey McWhorter finished the JSU scoring with a 576, while freshman Lacey McWhorter, from Springville, Alabama was named to the OVC All-Newcomer Team.

Jax State will return to action next weekend in Morehead, Kentucky to face the Eagles.  The Gamecocks will host an NCAA Qualifier match on Saturday, Feb. 16.