The Murray State rifle team earned eight spots of the top 10 individual rankings and fired an aggregate of 4,709 on Oct. 18-19 to top the UT Martin Skyhawks in Martin, Tennessee. 

The Racers started strong in smallbore on Saturday, Oct. 18, firing 2,342 to the Skyhawks’ 2,280. Freshman Lea Soule took an early lead by firing a 594 with 38 centers, and sophomore Carlotta Salafia sat in second with a 587. 

In Sunday’s air rifle competition, the Racers totaled 2,367 over UT Martin’s 2,333. Salafia solidified first place by firing a 589 with 87 centers, with sophomore Mallory Johnson just behind her at 593. 

Salafia and Soule finished first and second place with aggregate scores of 1,185 and 1,184 respectively, and junior Emma Lawrence placed third after scoring an aggregate of 1,172. Senior Paola Paravati secured fourth place with a 1,167 aggregate, while Johnson wrapped up the top five with an aggregate of 1,163. 

Freshman Abby Ballard placed sixth, senior Grace Foley secured seventh, and freshman Ainsley McFarland came in ninth with aggregate scores of 1,161 and 67 centers, 1,161 and 64 centers, and 1,158 respectively. 

The Racers return to the range at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Oxford, Mississippi, to challenge the Ole Miss Rebels.