UTEP Athletics

No. 12 UTEP Rifle Heads to Ohio for Back-to-Back Road Matches

11/7/2025 2:00:00 PM

Live Results | Live Targets

EL PASO, Texas — The No. 12 UTEP Rifle team continues its fall campaign with back-to-back road matches this weekend in Columbus, Ohio, November 8-9, at Ohio State's Converse Hall. The Miners will compete in a stacked field featuring multiple top-20 programs and two national championship-winning powerhouses as they look to build on last week's record-breaking momentum.

Saturday's quad-match will include UTEP, host Ohio State, Murray State, and Akron, with two relays scheduled to accommodate the four teams. The action continues Sunday with a tri-match against Murray State and reigning national champion West Virginia. Both days are set to begin at 7 a.m. MT / 9 a.m. ET.

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
RELAY 1 UTEP, Murray State, Ohio State	RELAY 2 Akron, Ohio State
Smallbore 6:45 AM - Call to Line 7:00 AM - Preparation and Sighters 7:15 AM - Match Fire Air Rifle 9:15 AM - Call to Line 9:30 AM - Preparation and Sighters 9:45 AM - Match Fire	Smallbore 12:15 PM - Call to Line 12:30 PM - Preparation and Sighters 12:45 PM - Match Fire Air Rifle 2:45 PM - Call to Line 3:00 PM - Preparation and Sighters 3:15 PM - Match Fire
^ All Times Mountain Standard

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
WVU, Murray State, UTEP
Smallbore 6:45 AM - Call to Line 7:00 AM - Preparation and Sighters 7:15 AM - Match Fire Air Rifle 9:15 AM - Call to Line 9:30 AM - Preparation and Sighters 9:45 AM - Match Fire
^ All Times Mountain Standard

LAST MATCH RECAP
The then-No. 15 Miners delivered a historic outing in their most recent performance, shattering two school records despite falling to then-No. 3 TCU. UTEP fired a program-best 2381 in air rifle and a team-record 4706 aggregate, while TCU claimed the match with a 4730 total.

The Miners' 2325 in smallbore, 2381 in air rifle, and 4706 aggregate all marked season or program highs, led by standout performances from Kameron Wells and Carlee Valenta, who each posted an 1178 aggregate. Xan Keel (1177) and Kennedy Wells (1173) followed closely behind in a deep, balanced team effort.

Keel and Kennedy Wells both achieved career days, setting or matching personal bests across all events.

SCOUTING THE FIELD
UTEP (No. 12) — The Miners enter the weekend with a 2316 smallbore average (16th nationally), 2371.667 in air rifle (11th), and 4687.667 aggregate (13th).
Leading the charge is Carlee Valenta, who paces UTEP in all categories and ranks among the nation's elite. She holds averages of 581 in smallbore (T-62 nationally), 597.667 in air rifle (T-6), and 1178.667 aggregate (T-33).

West Virginia (No. 3) — The reigning national champion Mountaineers remain the gold standard in collegiate rifle. WVU has captured 20 national championships and finished runner-up 10 times. This season, they rank among the best nationally with averages of 2353.25 in smallbore (3rd), 2385.25 in air rifle (2nd), and 4738.5 aggregate (3rd).
Leading the way is Griffin Lake, who ranks first nationally in air rifle (599), third in aggregate (1190.333), and fifth in smallbore (591.33).

Murray State (No. 10) — A consistent top-10 program and one of the sport's historic powerhouses, the Racers have won two national championships and finished runner-up twice in the late 1980's. This season, they're averaging 2339.8 in smallbore (10th), 2372.4 in air rifle (10th), and 4712.2 aggregate (10th). Lea Soule ranks sixth nationally in smallbore (590.2), and Carlotta Salafia ranks third in air rifle (598.4) and tenth in aggregate (1185.2).

Ohio State (No. 14) — The Buckeyes average 2329.857 in smallbore (11th), 2363.857 in air rifle (14th), and 4693.714 aggregate (11th). Lillian Warren leads OSU in smallbore (584.4, 35th nationally) and aggregate (1174, T-47), while Gabriella Sprague leads the air rifle lineup (591.714, 59th).

Akron (No. 17) — The Zips bring balance across the board, averaging 2328.25 in smallbore (13th), 2356.75 in air rifle (16th), and 4685 aggregate (15th). Natalia Siek leads in smallbore (586.75, 22nd) and aggregate (1176.5, 41st), while Rachael Paddock tops the team in air rifle (590, T-77).

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