STATESBORO - The Georgia Southern rifle team, coming off three consecutive school records in aggregate to start the season, is ranked ninth in the country, as determined by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA). The ranking is the highest in program history and the first top-ten mark as well.

The Eagles shot a 4,713 aggregate in a big win over The Citadel last weekend, putting them just two points behind No. 8 Ohio State and three points behind No. 7 Air Force.

Georgia Southern is averaging 2,777 in air rifle (sixth-best in the country) and 2,326.333 in smallbore (11th-best in the country). The team's aggregate average of 4703.333 rankes eighth-best currently.

The top eight teams after NCAA Qualifier weekend in February advance to the NCAA Championships, to be held March 9 and 10 in Morgantown, West Virginia. The formula used is an average of a team's three-highest scores at three different locations, plus the score from the NCAA Qualifier match.

In the first semester, the CRCA uses each team's highest score from its previous weekend of competition, as shown below.

CRCA Top 10 (Week of Oct. 17)
1. WVU - 4,749
2. TCU - 4,734
3. Ole Miss - 4,730
4. Nebraska - 4,728
5. Kentucky - 4,727
6. Alaska Fairbanks - 4,723
7. Air Force - 4,716
8. Ohio State - 4,715
9. Georgia Southern - 4,713
10. Memphis - 4,706

Georgia Southern has had three home matches with a top score of 4,713. The Eagles will return to action at VMI on Oct. 28 and return home on Nov. 5 to host Wofford. The team wraps up the fall portion of the schedule on Nov. 11 at No. 4 Ole Miss and Nov. 12 at No. 10 Memphis, giving it two more chances for high scores away from home.