Don’t tug on Superman’s cape, coach

After the the University of Alaska-Fairbanks rifle squad shot a season-high score of 4680, Nanooks coach Dan Foster said his team would like a piece of top-ranked West Virginia University.

Foster had better watch what he wishes for. A few days after Foster shot off his mouth, WVU shot enough bull’s-eyes to post a 4691 — believed to be the highest collegiate aggregate score ever posted. And the Mountaineers did it against the nation’s second-ranked team, the University of Kentucky.

From MSNSportsNet.com:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The No. 1-ranked West Virginia University rifle team shot a school-record aggregate score and toppled No. 2-ranked and Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe Kentucky, 4691-4642, this evening at the WVU Rifle Range.

The Mountaineers’ team score is believed to be the highest collegiate aggregate total since the NCAA implemented a 60-shot course at the onset of the 2004-05 season. The total is 14 shots better than WVU’s previous school record of 4677, set last year.

Additionally, WVU (6-0, 3-0 GARC) remains undefeated in both disciplines this season, as the team triumphed over UK in smallbore, 2333-2294, and air rifle, 2358-2348. The Mountaineers’ smallbore score is a school record, while their air rifle total is one shot short of matching the school record.

“I wanted the team to peak for this match, but to shoot the scores we did today and to achieve this kind of overall result was beyond our expectations,” says fourth-year coach Jon Hammond. “Today was a really good day and a big confidence boost for this team.”