Frogs Down Air Force in NCAA Qualifier

Saturday, February 22

USAF Academy, CO

TCU

Air Force

Photo by: Ellman Photography

Frogs Down Air Force in NCAA Qualifier

2/22/2020 7:57:00 PM | Women's Rifle

Lutz and Grundsoee fire 598s in air rifle

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fueled by a dominant air rifle performance, the second-ranked TCU women's rifle team posted its best road score of the season, a 4,718, defeating No. 6 Air Force in the NCAA Qualifier match.

For the second consecutive week, the Horned Frogs fired a score of 2,388 in air rifle, the top mark in program history. The four counters for TCU also combined for 14 perfect strings of 10 in the discipline.

Overall, Stephanie Grundsoee turned in an impressive aggregate score of 1,185 to pace the field. The freshman has turned in a score of 1,180 or better in each of her last four matches. Casey Lutz continued to shoot well, turning in a score of 1,179. Kristen Hemphill and Elizabeth Marsh rounded out the top four finishers in the match with scores of 1,178 and 1,176, respectively.

In smallbore, Grundsoee fired a strong score of 587, the top mark of the day. She used a 196 standing, 197 prone and a 194 standing to accumulate the mark. In her last three matches, Grundsoee is averaging a 587.7. A trio of Frogs followed as Hemphill, Lutz and Marsh all posted identical scores of 581. The counters combined for a team score of 2,330.

The Frogs were clicking on all cylinders in air rifle, tying its best mark in school history. Lutz and Grundsoee both shot scores of 598, while Hemphill was just a point behind with a 597. Marsh followed up her 598 from last week with a score of 595 in the match. Freshman Grace Taschuk recorded a score of 591 as well, although it didn't factor into the scoring.

Air Force turned in a score of 4,669 (2,314 in smallbore and 2,355 in air rifle). The Falcons were paced by Peter Fiori, as he fired the fifth-best mark in the match with a 1,175.

With the fourth and final mark of 4,718 from the qualifier, TCU's score that will be used by the selection committee is a 9,436.33. This is determined by the sum of its three-score average and its qualifier score. The Frogs unofficially sit in second, behind Kentucky, and are seeking their 14th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.

The final eight schools competing will be officially announced during the NCAA NC Rifle Selection Show, which will air Tuesday, February 25th, at 3:00 PM ET on NCAA.com.