The Penn State rifle team officially ended its season last weekend with mixed emotions. It was a time for reflection. A time of "what ifs."

The team was still thinking about its heartbreaking loss to Canisus back on Feb. 19, a loss which eliminated them from this weekend's championships. But it was also a time of excitement.

For the first time in its club history, Penn State hosted the Mid-Atlantic Conference sectional, which brings every team in the conference together in competition two or three times a year. Although only a few teams from the 30-team conference made the trip, team captain Alan Uhler said the meet was "a major stepping stone" for the team.

"It is unfortunate only a few teams could come because our bid to host the sectionals this year was late," he said. "But the important thing is we established a foundation. We are hopeful we can get more teams next year."

The sectional, which was the second and final in the MAC this year, came three weeks after the team won the overall smallbore competition, which involves shooting at targets from 50 feet with a .22-caliber rifle (a bull's eye is the size of a period). In that meet, which was hosted by West Chester and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, team-member Eve Gestl finished third individually in air rifle competition, shooting what is commonly referred to as a "pellet gun" at 33 feet.

Because many teams could not make the trip, Uhler said, the team shot for rankings in the Collegiate Shooting Official Results Bulletin, a booklet configured annually by the National Rifle Association. Last year, the team finished second in both air rifle and smallbore competition out of the 17 teams with club status.

Although sectional results are not published until after spring break, Gestl said she expected a similar finish this year.

"This is one of the best years we had," she said. "We shot very consistent this year -- it just so happened that we had one bad day. But we actually shot better this year and scored more points; that's all that matters."

Penn State scored 12 points fewer than Canisus in "that one bad day," agonizingly close for a competition based on a 1600-point scale. Co-captain Bob Haefner said that the loss did not reflect the overall team effort this year.

"It is disappointing because with our accomplishments the rest of the season, we should have gone to the championships," he said. "I think a lot of other teams realize that."

The team has no choice but to look past championships, however, and get ready for their annual alumni meet on April 16. Last year the team rasied $800 in shooting fees and other donations, which Uhler said were used to pay for travel and ammunition expenses.

"The alumni really enjoy getting back together again and meeting us, too," Uhler said. "It also makes a good fundraiser for us since we only have club status."