JACKSONVILLE – Freshman Michael Dietz led the Jacksonville State rifle team in both matches over the weekend in the Withrow Invitational at Murray State on Saturday and at UT Martin on Sunday.

As a team, the Gamecocks posted an aggregate score of 4638 in the eight-team field on the MSU campus.  JSU posted a 2330 in air rifle and added a 2308 in smallbore.  On Sunday, the Gamecocks tallied a final mark of 4604, which was bolstered by a 2338 in air rifle. 

Dietz, from Peralta New Mexico, finished eighth in the individual standings at the invitational.  He fired a 588 in air rifle and tackled on a 580 in smallbore.  At UTM, Dietz collected a 586 in air rifle and a 571 in smallbore.

JSU had two shooters achieve top-10 status in smallbore on Saturday as sophomore Mackenzie Van Patten joined Dietz with a 581.  Van Patten carded a 581 in air rifle at MSU.  She was JSU's top finisher on Sunday with an aggregate score of an 1158.

Junior Sam Payne recorded a smallbore mark just outside the top-10 with a 580 on Saturday.  Freshman Kaila Jones recorded a 584 on Saturday. 

Sunday's score was aided by sophomore Owen Goad, Payne and freshman Taryn Granger.  Goad combined for an 1146, while Payne and Granger accumulated an 1139 and 1137 respectively.

Jax State will make the trek to El Paso, Texas this weekend to face the Miners of the University of Texas at El Paso.