RENO, Nev. – The 18^th ranked University of Nevada rifle team defeated No. 17 UTEP 4647-4583 to earn its first victory of the year on Saturday and improve to 1-2 on the season.  The Wolf Pack will host the rematch with the Miners this weekend.
 
"Mitchell had a great match and his air rifle was world class," head coach Fred Harvey said. "Rachel and Sara were right with Mitchell until their last two targets.  Hopefully, they can complete the series in the next match here at home this weekend."
 
 
The Pack won the smallbore 2300-2268 as all five Nevada shooters were in the top seven.  Mitchell Van Patten led the way with a 580 followed by Tio Brody (575) and Nadine Ahola (574) as the Pack took the top three spots.  Alec Patajo (571) and Rachel Benesh (565) were sixth and seventh.
 
Nevada won the air rifle by a score of 2347-2315 and once again placed five shooters in the top seven.  Van Patten (595) and Rachel Benesh (586) took the top two spots.  Sara Benesh (584) and Ahola (582) earned fourth and fifth while Patajo (579) was seventh.
 
In the aggregate scoring that combines the two events, Nevada had four of the top five competitors.  Van Patten was first with a score of 1175 and Ahola earned second posting an 1156.  Rachel Benesh (1151) and Patajo (1150) were third and fourth.