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Alaskan Expedition: Rifle Earns 29th NCAA Bid
2/26/2015 4:31:00 PM | Rifle
The Murray State rifle team was selected to compete in the 2015 NCAA National Rifle Championship, Mar. 13-15 in Fairbanks, Alaska, the governing body announced on Thursday.
Thursday's selection will mark the 29th appearance by the Racers in the championship and they are currently tied with host Alaska-Fairbanks for the second-most all-time. West Virginia leads the way with 32 all-time selections to go along with a NCAA record 16 titles.
"I'm proud of the commitment and hard work shown by the entire squad, this year," said head coach Alan Lollar. "It has been a while since we qualified a team and that was something they have had in their sights from day one. Everyone on this team has been part of our success this season."
Joining Murray State in the field of eight teams this season will be fellow OVC member Jacksonville State, reigning national champion West Virginia and the host Nanooks. Rounding out the Racers' competition will be Air Force, TCU, Kentucky and Nebraska, led by first-year head coach and Racer alum Ashley Rose-McAllister.
Helping lead the way for Murray State will be senior Kelsey Emme, who will make her third NCAA Championship appearance, despite this being the first with her team. Emme qualified as an individual for the event in both 2012 as a freshman and 2014 as a junior.
As a team, the Racers are averaging 2313.3 in smallbore and 2349.2 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 4662.5. MSU set a program aggregate scoring record twice this season, first with a 4672 in September, then again in January with a 4687. A score of 4687 would make Murray State very competitive at the national championship, as that score would have been good enough to claim the title in three of the last five seasons.
Additional Alan Lollar Quotes
On His Team:
"I talk a lot about Kelsey Emme, my only senior, but you can't say enough. Her contribution goes beyond scores. Her leadership has been instrumental in everything good we have been able to do. Tessa Howald has also had a solid year and has contributed in both guns consistently."
"All year we have had a core of four athletes that have maintained a work ethic and consistency that has allowed this team the opportunity for success. Two of that core four are freshmen, Ben Estes and Ivan Roe, who have both had a very nice first years. They have contributed from the very first match and are laying a solid foundation for our future."
"Hannah Harris and Robert Broadstreet have battled all spring for playing time, so to speak. It says a lot that they inserted themselves into the mix and found ways to contribute. Kaitlyb Wilson, Keri Marlin and Ryan Limpus have also worked hard all year and have been squadded and have contributed along the way."
On The Championship:
"We are looking forward to the challenge of competing against the very best in the country. Alaska Fairbanks is a fun trip and I know they will do a great job as hosts. We also look forward to seeing MSU Hall of Famer Pat Spurgin-Pitney at the championships."
On Training For The Championship:
"We will be training like we have all year, trying to compete everyday on the range, not with a score, but with the standard we expect from ourselves every day. We will be looking for that consistency that will allow us the opportunity to compete at our best on the last day of the season."
On What Got Them To The Championship:
"None of this is possible without the great support we get from Allen Ward, the entire athletic department, Dr. Davies and Murray State University. Our alumni and supporters are also a big part of our success. This is a team effort and Murray State is a great team and family."
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Thursday's selection will mark the 29th appearance by the Racers in the championship and they are currently tied with host Alaska-Fairbanks for the second-most all-time. West Virginia leads the way with 32 all-time selections to go along with a NCAA record 16 titles.
"I'm proud of the commitment and hard work shown by the entire squad, this year," said head coach Alan Lollar. "It has been a while since we qualified a team and that was something they have had in their sights from day one. Everyone on this team has been part of our success this season."
Joining Murray State in the field of eight teams this season will be fellow OVC member Jacksonville State, reigning national champion West Virginia and the host Nanooks. Rounding out the Racers' competition will be Air Force, TCU, Kentucky and Nebraska, led by first-year head coach and Racer alum Ashley Rose-McAllister.
Helping lead the way for Murray State will be senior Kelsey Emme, who will make her third NCAA Championship appearance, despite this being the first with her team. Emme qualified as an individual for the event in both 2012 as a freshman and 2014 as a junior.
As a team, the Racers are averaging 2313.3 in smallbore and 2349.2 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 4662.5. MSU set a program aggregate scoring record twice this season, first with a 4672 in September, then again in January with a 4687. A score of 4687 would make Murray State very competitive at the national championship, as that score would have been good enough to claim the title in three of the last five seasons.
Additional Alan Lollar Quotes
On His Team:
"I talk a lot about Kelsey Emme, my only senior, but you can't say enough. Her contribution goes beyond scores. Her leadership has been instrumental in everything good we have been able to do. Tessa Howald has also had a solid year and has contributed in both guns consistently."
"All year we have had a core of four athletes that have maintained a work ethic and consistency that has allowed this team the opportunity for success. Two of that core four are freshmen, Ben Estes and Ivan Roe, who have both had a very nice first years. They have contributed from the very first match and are laying a solid foundation for our future."
"Hannah Harris and Robert Broadstreet have battled all spring for playing time, so to speak. It says a lot that they inserted themselves into the mix and found ways to contribute. Kaitlyb Wilson, Keri Marlin and Ryan Limpus have also worked hard all year and have been squadded and have contributed along the way."
On The Championship:
"We are looking forward to the challenge of competing against the very best in the country. Alaska Fairbanks is a fun trip and I know they will do a great job as hosts. We also look forward to seeing MSU Hall of Famer Pat Spurgin-Pitney at the championships."
On Training For The Championship:
"We will be training like we have all year, trying to compete everyday on the range, not with a score, but with the standard we expect from ourselves every day. We will be looking for that consistency that will allow us the opportunity to compete at our best on the last day of the season."
On What Got Them To The Championship:
"None of this is possible without the great support we get from Allen Ward, the entire athletic department, Dr. Davies and Murray State University. Our alumni and supporters are also a big part of our success. This is a team effort and Murray State is a great team and family."
Â
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