FanPost

Pack Rifleman Off To The Olympics


I do not know about you, but I have been feeling sad since our baseball team lost to Coastal Carolina in game seven of the "series" and as such is done for the season. However, sadness does not last long when good news follows.

The good news is that All-American Rifleman Lucas Kozeniesky is heading to the Olympics. Let GoPack tell it:

NC State All-American Lucas Kozeniesky is heading to the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games after making a #STATEment at the U.S. Olympic Trials this weekend, finishing first in the men's air rifle competition.

"We're extremely proud of Lucas' accomplishment," said head coach Keith Miller. "He didn't get caught up in the big stage, which is what we talked about, and he just worked on the simple things that make great shooters.

"He's been having some really good training and shooting some really solid scores, so it was nice to see him consistently shoot great scores and to do it three days in a row was really cool."

The rising senior will be the first NC State shooter to compete in the Olympics, thanks to earning one of two available spots on the U.S. Team for men's air rifle.

The Fairfax Station, Va., native finished the competition with a cumulative total of 1902.4, clinching the top spot by more than 18 points (1883.8). He fired scores of 634.5 Friday, 633.5 Saturday and ended strong Sunday at 634.4.

Lucas Kozeniesky FPP

Lucas Kozeniesky firing what has to be a very expensive air rifle. Photograph from GoPack.com.

Earlier this season, he became the first Wolfpack All-American since 1975 when he claimed the honor. In addition, Kozeniesky earned an individual selection to the NCAA Championships in air rifle and finished among the top 10, firing the highest score in the preliminary round to match the program record with a tally of 596.

Congratulations to Lucas. and Good Luck! Should I write "May the Force Be With You"? Of course!