Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
OVC Championships
Rifle Set to Host OVC Championships
2/6/2014 3:18:00 PM | Rifle
Murray State will be hosting the OVC Rifle Championships Feb. 8-9. The Racers last hosted the event in the 2009-10 season. In addition to the Racers, Columbus State, Jacksonville State, Morehead State and UT Martin will all compete for the title.
Murray State will be in search of the OVC-leading 11th league championship dating back to 1994, the first year rifle was an OVC sport. Their last win came in the 2010-11 season.
The Racers will enter the OVC championship ranked No. 11 in the CRCA (Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association) poll, second of the five OVC teams. Defending champions JSU will enter the favorites to win their third-straight OVC crown, ranking No. 4 by the CRCA.
This year's competition figures to be a tight race with all five teams ranked in the CRCA top-20. Following JSU and MSU are UTM (14), MOR (18) and CSU (19).
The Racers will bring back a number of top-scorers from the 2013 second place OVC team. All-OVC Air Rifle First Team and Smallbore Second Team selection Kelsey Emme will lead the Racers. They will also be with 2013 All-OVC Smallbore Second Team members Bill Harvey and Michael Burzynski. Tessa Howald, part of the 2013 Air Rifle All-Newcomer team, also returns and has shot the team's highest single match air rifle score in 2014, firing a 594 against Morehead State.
Returning from JSU's 2013 championship team are Smallbore Athlete of the Year Sam Muegge and All-OVC Smallbore and Air Rifle First Team selection Cole Tucker.
MOR will look to improve upon its fourth place finish from a year ago. They will sport 2013 All-OVC Smallbore and Air Rifle First Team selection Mary Saenger as well as All-OVC Air Rifle Second Team member, Christian Hashagen.
UTM will bring both their mixed and women's team. They finished 3rd and 6th respectively in 2013 and are in search of their first OVC title. After being named All-OVC Smallbore First Team and All-OVC Air Rifle Second Team in 2013, Steve Hahn will be back to lead the Skyhawks.Â
CSU enters its second season as a member of the OVC. The Cougars are led by a trio of sophomores - Duncan Anderson, Jay Cross and J.S. Fielding. All three were named to the All-OVC Smallbore Newcomer Team last year, while Fielding was also a part of the All-OVC Air Rifle Newcomer Team.
The championship gets underway Saturday with the Smallbore relays beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the air rifle competition Sunday at 10 a.m.
All information, including results, live scores, programs and more can be found at goracers.com.
