LEXINGTON, Va. - The NCAA Rifle rankings were updated on Monday, with the VMI Rifle program earning the No. 20 spot in the nation.

The ranking, which is a first for the program, comes days after the mixed squad posted a program-record aggregate score of 4,579 in a win over The Citadel women's team. In the process, the Keydets also shot a program-best in the smallbore, with a score of 2,266.

"The team really shot well today," said Rifle Head Coach Col. Bill Bither. "We not only beat The Citadel, but also broke the team aggregate and smallbore record."

The Keydets had the top 10 individual scores, with Christopher Hicks leading all performers by posting an aggregate score of 1,153. Ryan Harlow was just two points behind Hicks, shooting a match-best 577 in the smallbore.  Laini Morgan and Victoria Phillips led the way for the women, finishing 1-2 overall in the air rifle with scores of 587 and 585, respectively.Tweet #

Tweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmWTweet #Head coach Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the rifle team accepted the Red Bulldog from Jim Miller, VMI's Director of Athletics, and head football coach Danny Rocco this afternoon. The Red Bulldog is earned by the Keydet team that most recently defeated The Citadel, and has moved from… pic.twitter.com/Dl8zq5tVmW

— VMI Athletics (@VMIAthletics) Tweet #October 24, 2023

The Keydets have another home contest Saturday, hosting Georgia Southern. 

To view the full NCAA Rankings, click here.