March 5, 2008

Colorado Springs, Colo.- Last week, the TCU woman's rifle team shot at the 2008 Olympic air rifle qualifier match in Colorado Springs, Colo. The team fared well, having three of four shooters finish in the top 20. The team used the match not only to try and represent their country, but also to prepare for the NCAA Championships in West Point, N.Y, which begins on March 18.

The nation's best shooters were featured at the match, all competing for just two spots on the national air rifle team that will compete in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China. Erin Lorenzen led the team with an aggregate score of 1,276 and finished the match in ninth place. Simone Riford and Lauren Sullivan fired scores of 1,262 and 1,168, respectively, which were good enough to land the two in the top-20 overall.

As an added bonus, the team used the match as a final competition before the National Championship match later this month. The team received news from the NCAA Men's and Woman's Rifle Committee that they were one of eight teams to be selected based on their regular season results.

The Frogs have some familiar foes in the mix, having shot against every school competing in this year's championship within the last three years. This year TCU has tasted victory over Nebraska and Nevada, both of which promise to be strong competition for the Frogs.

At last year's national championship, the Frogs finished tied for fifth with Nebraska. The University of Alaska Fairbanks claimed the top spot and will also be shooting in this year's competition.

In order to qualify for the NCAA National Championship, the selection committee takes the averages of the three highest scores from different competitions and locations. The average of the three highest scores is taken and then added to the qualifier match. The top eight overall scores determine which schools will compete for the national championship.