Sept. 20, 2002

Charleston, SC - The Citadel's rifle team enters the season as the reigning South Eastern Air Rifle Conference Champions after losing only one regular season match.

Seniors Matt Fussell, David Wright and Forrest Payne will lead the Bulldogs following last year's championship and reinstatement as a varsity sport.

Keith Kacmar, a junior, missed qualifying for nationals by one point last season and will certainly provided a needed spark for 2002 and 2003. In practice this spring, Kacmar has shot one perfect round and has shot as high as 396 out 400. Kacmar was also named The Citadel's Bulldog-of-the-Week twice during the 2001 campaign. Matt Fussell and sophomore Boyd Pritchard received All-Academic Rifle Scholar recognition from the Collegiate Rifle Coaches' Association.

The addition of seven freshmen should only improve the Bulldogs chances of remaining on top of the SEARC.

"Consistent shooting by our top four will put us in contention for the NCAA team competition," stated coach Bill Smith.

The Bulldog's Schedule

09/21/02-SEARC CLINIC MATCH-FT. BENNING, GA.10/05/02-VMI OR APU MATCH-LEXINGTON, VA.10/26/02-N. GEORGIA SEARC MATCH 1-DAHLONEGA, GA.11/09/02-NCSU AIR/SMALLBORE MATCH-RALEIGH, NC11/17/02-BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN SEARC 2-BIRMINGHAM, ALA.01/25/03-WOFFORD SEARC MATCH 3-GREENVILLE, SC.02/22/03-CITADEL SEARC 4/ APU MATCH-CHARLESTON, SC.03/02/03-SEARC CHAMPIONSHIPS-RALEIGH, NC.03/15/03-NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS