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The University of Mississippi Athletics
On Target
10/24/2005 | Rifle
Oct. 24, 2005
At the collegiate level, a program's success is built upon several different factors. From the coaching, to the facilities, to recruiting, each aspect plays an integral role in a program's success. For the Ole Miss Rifle team, a large part of their success has come from walk-ons, in particular, senior Natasha Phillips.
"Natasha has meant so much to this program," said Ole Miss head coach Valerie Boothe, who is in her tenth season as head coach. "She is a leader in the classroom and on the range. She is one of the best students I have ever had and has developed from a walk-on to one of our best all-around shooters."
Phillips joined the team as a walk-on in Septebmer of 2003, after transferring from East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. In her first season, she recorded a season average of 348 in air rifle and registered a season high of 365 at the NCAA Sectional. Like most walk-ons, she did not compete in the more challenging division of smallbore in her first season.
She continued to improve during her junior year in 2004-05, competing in all 13 matches. Phillips recorded season averages of 564 (Scoring was swtiched from a high of 400 to 600 prior to the 2004-05 season) in air rifle and 560 in smallbore to receive the team's Most Improved Award. She shot a career-high 580 in air rifle at the GARC Championships (Feb. 27) and notched a career best in smallbore with a 569 at the Tennessee-Martin dual match (Nov. 6).
Phillips also received team awards for "Rebel Match" winner, for the best score in a match as compared to the season average, and the "Iron Gun" award, for excellence in weight training and conditioning.
In two matches so far this season, Phillips has posted a score of 578 in the air rifle, two points off her career mark, and 566 in smallbore, three points shy of her career best.
While she continues to improve on the range, Phillips is definitely on target in the classroom. The former walk-on has become one of the most decorated shooters academically in Ole Miss Rifle history.
The Carthage, Miss., product came to Ole Miss from East Central Community College where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and named to the Who's Who Among America's Junior College Students list. Academic and athletic excellence is nothing new to Phillips, who was the Salutatorian of Carthage High School, was the yearbook editor for two years, lettered in softball for three seasons and was named to Who's Who Among America's High School Students list.
After arriving in Oxford, she continued her academic excellence. The Biochemistry major is a two-time All-Academic selection by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association and was named the Ole Miss Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the Great America Rifle Conference. A member of the Rebel 3.0 club, she also made the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Phillips has enjoyed her time here at Ole Miss in the classroom and on the range. "I have loved my time at Ole Miss," said Phillips, who made the University's Chancellor's Honor Roll last spring, after posting a 3.75 GPA. "I have had the opportunity to receive an excellent education and shoot with some great teammates and for a great coach."
Boothe will be sad to see Phillips leave.
"Natasha has been such a great contributor and worked so hard for the program," said Boothe, the only head coach in Ole Miss rifle history. "I will be very sad to see her go."
Phillips still has one goal before her time at Ole Miss is up.
"I would like to help lead my team to a great finish at the Great America Rifle Conference Championships and hopefully, the NCAA Championships."
