Raiders slip by West Greene for key Section 1 win
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
Waynesburg Central’s Selena Phillips (left) and Hunter Wasson focus in their sights before the first relay of Tuesday’s Section 1 rifle match against West Greene at the Waynesburg Sportsman’s Club. The Raiders edged the Pioneers, 800-56x-798-64x.
Jim Downey | Herald-Standard
West Greene’s Sheyann Watson (left) and DJ Jones go through preparations before the Section 1 match Tuesday against Waynesburg Central at the Waynesburg Sportsman’s Club.
WAYNESBURG — The margin was about as slim as could be, but the Waynesburg Central rifle team grabbed control of Section 1 Tuesday afternoon with an 800-56x-798-64x victory against rival West Greene at the Waynesburg Sportsman’s Club.
The Raiders remain unbeaten in the section, improving to 5-0 with matches against Avella, McGuffey and Washington remaining.
West Greene goes to 3-2 with both losses at the hands of the Raiders. The Pioneers have two matches with McGuffey and one with Avella to close the section schedule.
Waynesburg, West Greene and McGuffey all shared the section title last year.
The difference came down to just two shots outside the inside ring with the Raiders hitting the center of the bull’s eye on each of their 80 attempts.
The Pioneers were pretty good, too, hitting the mark on all but two shots.
Interestingly enough, had the match come down to a tie-breaker, West Greene would’ve won by a 64x-56x edge.
“I knew we had an 800,” said Waynesburg coach Rich Rush. “This is the first official one we’ve had in an official match.”
Rush, added, “This is the one we wanted. West Greene has McGuffey this week. That will separate (one of the teams) a little further.”
If the Raiders win out, they retain the section crown all by themselves.
“We control our destiny,” said Rush.
“This is a tough one to lose,” said West Greene coach Dave Ziefel. “That (score) would’ve been competitive with anybody. That score would’ve won last time.
“But, you have to move on and keep trying.”
Hunter Wasson and Selena Phillips shot in the first relay for the Raiders with both finishing with a score of 100-8x.
Wasson, a junior, finished ninth in the WPIAL and third in the state last year after not making the medal stand as a freshman.
“Once you do it so long, it comes easy. You put the practice in (and the results follow),” said Wasson.
Wasson understands the impact of being a returning district and state medalist, and what he needs to do for a return trip.
“I have a lot to live up to,” said Wasson. “You have to have a clear mind, nothing on your mind. Forget everything, whatever you have going on outside of here. Turn it off.
“Personally, I’d like to see the team do better, but I’d like to see myself do good. A repeat of last year, but I can do better.”
Phillips also focused in on focusing in.
“You can’t let your emotions get in the way of your shooting. You can’t let anything get in the way,” said Phillips. “I practice relaxing and clearing my mind. You want your heart rate as low as can be. Be as calm as can be.”
She, too, is looking to extend her season.
“I would like to win individually and go to states. My main goal is to shoot to my potential,” said Phillips.
Phillips also plays softball, but rifle is a different sort of team sport.
“We are as much a family as any other sports team,” said Phillips. “As upperclassmen, we set the example this is what we want this year to be.”
Emilee Tuttle led the way for the Raiders with a 100-9x. Cameron Cernuska and Tristan Cole also shot 100-8x. Nick Guess (100-7x), Abby Ozohonish (100-5x), and Grace Kalsey (100-3x) rounded out the scoring.
Dylan Henkins’ 99-7x and Colby Simkovic’s 99-9x were not used.
West Greene posted two perfect scores, 100-10x, the only two of the match. Sheyann Watson and Zach Abbott posted the scores.
The coaches initially had Watson’s and DJ Jones’ scores reversed with both competitors shooting in the initial relay. The correct order was set down after a few humorous barbs were tossed out at the coaches.
“I was nervous a little bit,” said Watson, a sophomore. “(The match) freaks me out a little bit. I came in early and calmed down.
“I practice a lot. I’m consistently calm and relaxed.”
Shooters have 15 minutes to sight in their rifles and shoot the 10 targets.
“I pace it out. If I take too long, I’m worried about time,” said Watson. “I try not to pay attention to time. It freaks me out.”
Watson finished 25th in the WPIAL last year with the top 15 places receiving medals.
“My goal is to shoot all 100s and hopefully make it to states,” said Watson.
DJ Jones shot alongside Watson in the first relay, finishing with a 99-9x.
“Mentally, you’re trying to keep your head into it and concentrate on one thing,” explained Jones.
Jones said one spot on the target is more troublesome than the others.
“The top left,” said Jones. “I’m practicing more and have confidence in myself.
“I just want to do the best I can.”
Haleigh Thomas (100-9x), Alison Thomas (100-8x), Courtney Ross (100-6x), Jade Rittenhouse (100-4x), and Makenzie Thomas (99-8x) rounded out the scoring for the Pioneers.
Ethan Huff (99-6x) and Carey John (98-5x) did not count in the final score.