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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Freshman Shooter Making An Impact On Rifle Range
2/4/2003 | Rifle
By: Chris Purser
Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant
Feb. 4, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. -
Ask Megan Sandage how she is doing and you likely to get the same response every time.
"It's cold," said Sandage. "It's in the 60s where I'm from."
The Sutter, Calif., native is still getting used to the rapid weather changes that come with living in Mississippi. But while Sandage may be having a problem with the temperatures, she is having no trouble when it comes to her performance on the shooting range.
The true freshman is red hot right now, breaking records and helping take the Ole Miss rifle team to heights never before seen. With Sandage leading the way, the Rebels are off to the best start they have ever seen during their young and brief history at Ole Miss. They have shown that they have the talents capable of taking the team all the way to the NCAA Tournament. And it all starts with Sandage.
"We are coming together as a team," Sandage said. "We have enough talent here (to take us to the tournament). We just need to improve on our consistency."
That is something Sandage has begun to do. Since her arrival, she has taken a prominent role in the program and consistently gotten better as the season has progressed. Her goal is shoot in the high 388-387 range every match (that is out of a possible 400). She recently fired a 391 in air rifle, the highest score in the history of the program's six seasons.
And she is well on her way, averaging 384 during her true freshman season, a time in which many people are just learning ropes of college life. Add to the fact that Sandage is mentally adjusting to life in Mississippi, and the idea of her high average in itself is amazing when you consider the fact that rifle is such a mentally challenging sport.
"We couldn't be more pleased than we are with what Megan has done for our program this season," said head coach Valerie Boothe. "It's rare that you find a freshman who can come in and make such an impact on a team immediately, but she has really done that with her shooting and her leadership abilities."
"It is a mental thing so you just have to go out and practice," Sandage said. "I have confidence in my shooting. I expect to shoot well every time I go out. The better I shoot, the happier and more confident I become."
Her confidence is already starting to have an effect on her teammates, who have rallied around Sandage and each other in hopes of finally making to the NCAA Tournament as a team, and not as individuals.
"I would rather us go as a team than as individuals," Sandage said. "You can count on each other when you work better as a team. This is my second family, so I want to see us all do well."
Sandage's personal goal of being named All-America has helped her strive to reach new highs as a freshman. That goal is something that just might be in sight for Sandage. But, she is quick to point out that she would gladly sacrifice an All-American honor for a shot at the NCAAs.
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"I would love to be named All-American," Sandage said. "But I would rather help the team make it to the NCAA Tournament. That is what I want more than the All-American award."
Boothe couldn't agree with the sentiments of the freshman more, adding that the ability to put her goals behind those of the team is what will help her achieve the personal accolades.
"It's not often that you find an athlete who is willing to put the goals of the team in front of their personal goals in this day and age," said Boothe. "It's even harder to find one in a sport that is as individualized a sport as rifle. For Megan to be able to put her personal goals out of her mind and focus on the team is truly unique and a credit to the character she has. It's also going to be key in her achieving her personal goals because she isn't dwelling on what's best for her, it's what is best for Ole Miss."
Maranda Stockton, the lone senior on the squad and the team captain, has been impressed with the maturity that Sandage has brought to the table. She said that, combined with her selfless nature, speaks volumes about her character and the type of leaders she will be for the future of the program.
"The very best thing about Megan is that she is more concerned about the team than her individual interests," Stockton said. "She is a very unselfish person who puts others first, and that's a unique quality in such an individual sport. The tendency is for athletes to get wrapped up in what they are doing and their goals, but she doesn't do that." The Rebels are putting themselves in position to make a run at the NCAA Championships, having recently completed competition at the Withrow Invitational, the final tune-up before the NCAA Sectional. But with Sandage leading the way, that goal itself may not be too far out of reach.
