LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Rifle program travels to Charleston to compete in the 2024 Southern Conference Rifle Championship which will be held at The Citadel's Inouye Marksmanship Center in Charleston, South Carolina.
Team Success
VMI's 2023-24 campaign has been a successful one and should set them up for success as they set new team aggregate records three times, most recently firing a 4598 at The Citadel in January. In the NCAA Qualifier at West Virginia, the Keydets posted a program-best 2341 in the Air Rifle, a week after notching a new program-high in the smallbore (2276). The efforts led VMI to its first ever top-20 ranking as the Keydets would move back into the top 20 before the end of the season.
Individual Efforts
Christopher Hicks has continued his strong career, posting an 1170 aggregate in a win over Wofford. Hicks currently has three of the top four aggregates for VMI, with
Ryan Harlow's 1159 checking in at tied for third. Hicks' best air rifle performance came against Wofford, where he posted a 590, owning the top three air rifle marks this season. While Hicks owns the top spot in smallbore as well, Harlow was just behind with a 577 back in October.
On the women's side,
Victoria Phillips has led the way for VMI, posting five aggregates of 1142 or better. Phillips led all VMI women shooters in the smallbore, while
Laini Morgan had the top three air rifle scores (590, 589, 587).
Other Notes
Zachary Mauriello earned first round Junior Olympic Rifle Championship Selection, alongside
Victoria Phillips and
Emma Cameron (Air Rifle). The trio qualified for the event which will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Colorado from April 1-3. Mauiello fired a 587 in the air rifle during the NCAA Qualifier at West Virginia, while Phillips (578) and Cameron (568) registered qualifiers as well.
Follow Along
Catch all the live results
here. To view the full SoCon release, click
here.
2024 SoCon Championship schedule
Saturday, March 2 – Smallbore
8:00–8:15 a.m. Preparation and sighting
8:15– 9:45 a.m. Small Bore Relay #1
10:15– 10:30 a.m. Preparation and sighting
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Small Bore Relay #2
12:30–12:45 p.m. Preparation and sighting
12:45–2:15 p.m. Small Bore Relay #3
3:15 p.m. Report
3:30 p.m. Small Bore Finals
Sunday, March 3 – Air rifle
7:30 – 7:45 a.m. Preparation and sighting
7:45– 9 a.m. Air Rifle Relay #1
9:30– 9:45 a.m. Preparation and sighting
9:45– 11 a.m. Air Rifle Relay #2
11:30– 11:45 a.m. Preparation and sighting
11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Air Rifle Relay #3
2:15 p.m. Air Rifle Finals
