Ole Miss Rifle Opens 2026-27 Season Hosting Ohio State and UT Martin

The Ole Miss rifle team will open its 2026-27 season Saturday at 8 a.m. CT with a home meet against No. 14 Ohio State and No. 18 UT Martin at the Ole Miss Rifle Center in Oxford, Mississippi, according to the university.

The Rebels enter the season ranked fifth in the nation in the preseason poll by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association. Last season, Ole Miss finished with a 10-2 record and secured the program’s first NCAA smallbore championship. They also finished third overall and saw Audrey Gogniat defend her NCAA air rifle title, becoming the first athlete to repeat as NCAA air rifle champion since 2012 and 2013.

Ole Miss returns key athletes from last season’s roster, including Gogniat and teammate Gracie Dinh, both All-Americans. The team also added freshmen Avana Harford and Kamdyn McFarland. Sara Karasova joins as an assistant coach after a successful stint at Memphis and a decorated career at Alaska Fairbanks, where she earned 12 All-America honors and helped lead the Nanooks to the 2023 NCAA team championship.

Head coach Will Shaner guided the Rebels to a historic season in 2025-26, highlighted by a national title in smallbore and a third-place team finish. Gogniat’s repeat victory in air rifle marked a significant achievement for the program, which has now qualified for seven consecutive NCAA Championships.

Ohio State, coached by Ryan Tanoue, comes into the season ranked 14th. The Buckeyes, who lost to Ole Miss in Oxford last season, are led by sophomores Mackenzie Pruden and Gabriella Sprague. UT Martin, coached by Alayna Walther in her second season, ranks 18th and features key returners Sophia Ashford and Olivia Harvey, as they look to improve after losing Joey Kovach to graduation.

Ole Miss will face UT Martin for the first time since the 2022-23 season. Fans can follow the team on social media via Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram, or visit OleMissSports.com for updates.

Source: Original Article