Ole Miss Rifle to Compete for NCAA Team Title in Columbus

The University of Mississippi rifle team is preparing for the NCAA Championships, set for March 13-14 at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Rebels, ranked No. 5 nationally, are making their sixth consecutive appearance at the event and are seeking their first team title.

Ole Miss (10-2, 5-2 PRC) will compete in both smallbore and air rifle disciplines over two days. The team will send five shooters to each event, aiming to claim the NCAA crown. The Rebels advanced to the tournament after posting a 4743.3 average in qualifying matches, highlighted by wins over Memphis and Murray State in recent weeks.

Coach Will Shaner, in his first season leading the Rebels, has guided the team to notable achievements, including a No. 1 national ranking last November. The Rebels also set program records in air rifle and aggregate scores during the season. Sophomore Audrey Gogniat, the reigning NCAA individual air rifle champion, is among the top shooters nationally and has fired two perfect scores in her career.

Ole Miss’s roster features two juniors and six sophomores, with newcomers Savannah Criddle and Jadyn Morgan joining the team this season. The Rebels have recorded a seven-match winning streak in head-to-head competitions, their longest since 2020-21. They will face prominent opponents, including Nebraska, TCU, and Alaska Fairbanks, during the tournament.

The NCAA Championships mark a significant milestone for Ole Miss, which is seeking its first team national title after years of strong performances. The team has also achieved high rankings and set multiple program records throughout the season.

Source: Original Article