Raiders win Round 1 on the range, 798-69x-794-57x
West Greene蘑菇视频 Sheyann Watson (left) and Zach Frye sight in on the targets before a Section 1 match against Waynesburg Central at the Waynesburg Sportsmen蘑菇视频 Club on Jan. 22. (Photo by Jim Downey)
Waynesburg Central蘑菇视频 Tristan Cole, Bryce Bedilion and Aidan Kern take aim in preparation for a Section 1 match against West Greene at the Waynesburg Sportsmen蘑菇视频 Club on Jan. 22. (Photo by Jim Downey)
Jim Downey | 蘑菇视频
West Greene蘑菇视频 Zach Frye (left) and Sheyann Watson have the targets in sight in preparation for a Section 1 match against Waynesburg Central at the Waynesburg Sportsmen蘑菇视频 Club on Jan. 22.
FRANKLIN TWP. 鈥� The top two rifle teams in Section 1 met Wednesday afternoon at the Waynesburg Sportsmen蘑菇视频 Association and the first round went to Waynesburg Central with a 798-69x-794-57x victory over West Greene.
The Raiders are now alone in first place at 4-0, but the Pioneers (4-1) have the opportunity to avenge the loss this afternoon when the teams meet again.
Waynesburg蘑菇视频 Tristan Cole and Colby Simkovic were both on target with a perfect score of 100-10x. Bryce Bedilion, Talia Tuttle and Abby Ozohonish all shot 100-9x. RJ Wolen finished with 100-7x. Shelby Burkett (99-8x) and Taylor Burnfield (99-7x) closed out the scoring rounds.
Grace Kalsey 鈥減ulled one鈥� to finish with a score of 99-6x. Kalsey蘑菇视频 and Taylor Wasson蘑菇视频 99-7x weren鈥檛 used in the final tally.
鈥淚 had a perfect nine shots and halfway through the round I pulled one,鈥� explained Kalsey. 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 usually my breathing. That蘑菇视频 my issue. Today, I definitely knew.鈥�
Kalsey蘑菇视频 season average is around 100-8x, but she is searching for a 100-10x in section competition after hitting the perfect score in an earlier non-section match.
Kalsey hopes to hit the score when the two teams meet again this afternoon.
鈥淚 need to be more focused. We just know we鈥檙e the two best two teams,鈥� said the junior.
The Raiders are also in transition with the graduation of two-time WPIAL gold medalist Selena Phillips and medalist Hunter Wasson.
鈥淚 just try my best,鈥� said Kalsey, who looks for a return trip to the WPIAL finals.
Sheyann Watson once again led the way for the Pioneers with a perfect score of 100-10x. Her true aim kept her on pace to reach at least a couple of her goals.
鈥淚鈥檓 in line right now for the Dave Cramer Award,鈥� said Watson, given to shooters who score 100-10x in each match. 鈥淚t蘑菇视频 gotten easier from doing it so long, but it蘑菇视频 definitely a challenge.鈥�
Watson did not receive the award last year, but did so two years ago.
Also on her to-do list is another berth into the WPIAL and PIAA individual championships. Watson placed fourth in the WPIAL and seventh in the state last year, and would like to have medals dangling from her neck this season.
The Pioneers are transitioning into a younger team with the senior now one of the elder statesman.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 a little bit different. I鈥檓 more sentimental,鈥� said Watson. 鈥淣o, there蘑菇视频 not really any pressure. I just want to have a good time and make it a memorable senior year.
鈥淲e have a lot of new kids training. It蘑菇视频 extra work to figure things out. But, it蘑菇视频 nice to have younger kids. It makes it a fun time.鈥�
Today蘑菇视频 match is the Pioneers鈥� third in as many days.
鈥淚t蘑菇视频 more mental than physical,鈥� said Watson. 鈥淭hree in a row is nerve-racking wondering how you are going to do. Everyone has good days and bad days.
鈥淢entally, you just have to be really focused. If you had a stressful day, you just have to block it all out.鈥�
Zach Frye (99-5x), Emma Crouse (98-6x), Piper Whitlatch (99-8x), DJ Jones (99-7x), Ali Thomas (100-9x), Gavin Tuason (99-7x), and Ruby Rittenhouse (100-5x) rounded out the scoring for West Greene. Domonic Russo (97-2x) and Brooke Miller (97-3x) did not count in the final tally.