Waynesburg rifle team edges Pioneers
Waynesburg Central's Camryn Dugan is all smiles after getting a perfect score of 100-10x during the Pioneers' WPIAL Section 1 rifle match against West Greene Wednesday at Waynesburg Sportsmen's Club.
Holly Tonini
Waynesburg Central’s Emily Ozohonish scored a 99-6x against West Greene during Wednesday’s WPIAL Section 1 rifle match at Waynesburg Sportsmen’s Club.
West Greene's Zach Abbott scored a 98-4x against Waynesburg Central during Wednesday's WPIAL Section 1 rifle match at Waynesburg Sportsmen's Club.
West Greene's coach Dave Ziefel talks with Lexi Keller during Wednesday's WPIAL Section 1 rifle competition against Waynesburg Central at Waynesburg Sportsmen's Club.
WAYNESBURG — The Section 1 rifle match at the Waynesburg Sportsman’s Association (Club) on Jan. 6 was a rivalry, but not one with the intensity of say, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
No, the section match between Waynesburg Central and West Greene was more like the rivalry between siblings, wanting to do their best, but having fun while doing so.
The Raiders opened their section match schedule with a 792 (54x)-780 (39x) win over the Pioneers.
Leading the way for Waynesburg was senior Camryn Dugan with a perfect score, 100-10x.
Dugan attends Jefferson-Morgan and was a key player in the Lady Rockets’ run to a WPIAL crown in softball. She plays volleyball in the fall and softball in the spring, but rifle keeps her busy in the winter months, competing for coach Rich Rush, who is an assistant coach on the softball team.
“Rifle is something to do to pass the time. The people who shoot rifle, I didn’t know them. It gives me a chance to interact with other people,” Dugan said before she shot her relay.
Rifle is a team sport, but not in the manner of volleyball or softball.
“(Rifle) is different. You don’t have teammates to rely on. You feel more tension, tension coming from yourself,” explained Dugan. “I completely underestimated what rifle was when I first started.
“I want to keep improving and make things come more naturally to me.”
The Raiders’ Emily Tuttle was nearly perfect with her score 100-8x, as was teammate Selena Phillips, who posted a score of 100-5x.
Ten shooters compete during a match with the top eight scores counting towards the final total.
Waynesburg’s Andrew Guess counted in the final total with 98-6x.
“My best is 100-10x, but that’s rare for me. A score of 100-7x is pretty good for me,” said Guess, a senior who has been on the team for four years. “We want to do our best. We’re looking for a win.”
Also included in the team total were Emily Ozohonish (99-6x), Dylan Henkins (98-7x), Travis Elliott (99-8x), and Dylan Crockard (98-4x). Michael Pochran’s 94-2x and Cameron Cernuska’s 97-6x weren’t used.
Junior and co-captain Lexi Keller led the way for the Pioneers (0-2, 2-2) with a score of 100-8x. Athletes shoot at a target 50 feet away, not as easy as the uninitiated might think it to be.
“To shoot 100 is a lot harder than most people think,” Keller said before she opened the competition. “Things a little off in your equipment cause you to miss.”
Sage Vliet anchors the lineup for the Pioneers, a spot she prefers. The junior, who is in her second year on the squad, finished with 99-8x.
Zach Abbott (98-4x), Alexis Bamberger (95-2x), Ethan Huff (96-2x), Haleigh Thomas (98-6x), Shane Vliet (97-3x), and Makenzie Thomas (97-6x) also factored in the final score. The scores of Courtney Ross (93-2x) and Jacob Wilson (94-2x) weren’t used.
The teams share the Greene County facility, so, in many ways, they are extensions of one another’s squads, not bitter rivals.
“It’s always a rivalry to see who wins,” said Guess. “We are all friends.”
Of the rivalry and general feeling surrounding a rifle match, Keller said, “It’s a little more friendly, unlike a lot of sports. The only interaction is when you’re waiting to shoot.”
Rifle is the only co-ed sport offered by the WPIAL, making it a truly unique competition.
“I really like it. In the real world when you’re working, you’re working with not just females or males. You bond with them and learn to work with them,” said Keller.
Rifle is not a sport that has a big visibility at most schools, at least not at West Greene.
“It’s understated at our school. They think it’s so much easier,” said Vliet.
“We’re a lot of misfits who all come together in one sport like a family,” said Keller. “It’s a great sport. Everyone has focus and determination. It’s a great sport to be in.”
According to Rush and West Greene coach Dave Ziefel, it’s a sport that relies on the help of others.
“The school pays for the salaries, transportation and insurance,” explained Rush. “We receive NRA grants and donations from others. One of the rifles costs around $1,600.”
The light-hearted approach to the rivalry carries through to the coaching staffs, with both helping the other’s shooters. There was even an attempt to “trade” players after the match.