Ole Miss Rifle Prepares for Doubleheader Weekend with Memphis
The University of Mississippi rifle team will face Memphis in back-to-back matches this weekend, with the first taking place in Oxford on Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by a trip to Memphis for the second match at the same time, according to team officials.
Ole Miss (7-2, 5-2 PRC) is coming off a strong showing at the Patriot Rifle Conference Tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they finished second overall behind Nebraska. The Rebels tied their program record in air rifle with a score of 2,388 and finished third in smallbore with a score of 2,357, totaling 4,745 points, the third-highest in school history, the team said.
During the tournament, Audrey Gogniat was named the PRC Air Rifle individual champion for the second straight year. She also fired her third career perfect score, becoming the second athlete in NCAA history to do so in both a conference championship and at the NCAA Tournament. Gogniat is one of the top shooters nationally, according to team officials.
Ole Miss will send all 10 team members to compete on both days. The first relay will determine the match winner, with a second relay following after a 30-minute break for additional competition. The Rebels aim to build on their recent success as they prepare for the NCAA qualifiers next month.
The team’s recent performances highlight its competitive strength. Sophomore Gracie Dinh set personal bests in smallbore (596), air rifle (600), and aggregate (1,196) during a match against Murray State. She also became the third Rebel in program history to shoot a perfect air rifle score. Head coach Will Shaner, in his first season leading Ole Miss, has helped guide the team to its longest winning streak since 2022-23 and secured top national rankings.
Ole Miss is currently ranked No. 5 nationally by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association. The team’s roster includes two juniors and six sophomores, along with two freshmen, Savannah Criddle and Jadyn Morgan. The Rebels are preparing for upcoming NCAA championships, with the season marking their 30th year of competition.
Ole Miss’s recent success includes victories over top-ranked teams and setting multiple program records. The team’s focus remains on maintaining its momentum heading into postseason events, with matches against Memphis serving as critical preparation for NCAA qualifiers and championships.
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