RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada rifle team placed third at the Ohio State Tournament on Saturday.  The event featured four schools ranked in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll led by top ranked Murray State, Nevada was tied for 11th, OSU entered the weekend 15th and UTEP was 19th.
 
Nevada hosts nationally ranked Alaska on Sunday.
 
Murray State shot 4682 to place first followed by the host Buckeyes with a 4651, Nevada posted a score of 4649 and UTEP shot 4611.
 
Senior Mitchell Van Patten was second in all three events with a 595 in air rifle, 586 in smallbore and 1181 aggregate score that combines the two disciplines.  All three scores tied his season highs with the 595 in air rifle equaling his career best mark.
 
Junior Rachel Benesh's 1160 aggregate was eighth while her 575 in smallbore was 11th  and 585 in air rifle earned her 13th. 
 
Sophomore Nadine Ahola shot 574 in smallbore to place 14th and posted a 581 in air rifle to take 21st.  Freshman Andrew Pham had a pair of top 20 finishes with a 585 in air rifle earning him 15th  place and a 568 in smallbore was good for 19th. 
 
Competing in smallbore Tio Brody's 568 was 22nd.  Sarah Benesh was 26th in air rifle with a 576.