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The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: Stankey Aims Higher
11/10/2010 | Rifle
Nov. 10, 2010
By Mike Swartz
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations
Out of the many big name athletes at Ole Miss who find themselves in the national spotlight, Rifle shooter Keely Stankey is one of the few whose major accomplishments can often go unnoticed. Coming into her junior year at Ole Miss, the Minnesota native finds herself as one of the leaders of the 2010-11 Ole Miss rifle squad.
At a young age, Keely Stankey chose to pick up rifle when her dad introduced her to shooting.
"When I was about 13 years old, my dad asked me if I wanted to try shooting at the local club that we had," she said. "I started out with air rifle and I just really liked it, it was a real enjoyable hobby. I continued to practice and then soon shooting in college became one of my major goals."
Not every college participates in the sport of rifle, but when choosing colleges Stankey had many good options.
"I went on several official visits. I went to the University of Kentucky, TCU, Texas-El Paso, but I just really liked Ole Miss," she said.
Like countless athletes before her, Stankey seemed to fit in when she came on her visit.
"I really liked the team, I liked the range, and I loved the campus and the school in general. It just felt like I belonged here," Stankey said.
She had a successful debut her freshman year, leading the team with a smallbore average of 569 as well as being named to the SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll.
Stankey carried that success into her sophomore season where she became one of the team leaders. She finished seventh in the air rifle at the 2010 NCAA Championships and led the team in smallbore with an average of 573 and air rifle with an average of 584. She also contributed to the team's score in 13 of 14 matches and posted the team's high score for air rifle in seven matches and smallbore in 10 matches.
"It's just the best feeling in the world when you do really well in competition and you know it was all you out there," Stankey said, "It's just really rewarding."
With Stankey's junior season already underway, she holds high expectations for both herself and the team. "Our team's goal is to make it to the NCAA Championships this year. We've been trying to reach that goal for the past two or three years now, and I think this could be the year."
As for individual goals Stankey hopes to pick up on her success from last season.
"If we don't make it as a team I'd love to qualify individually," she said.
Not many people are familiar with the sport of rifle, where the competitors shoot air rifles, as well as .22 caliber rifles during smallbore competitions, combining their scores at the end for a team score where the highest score wins.
When asked what Stankey would want people to know about the sport of Rifle, she responded, "The main difference between rifle and other sports is the women and men compete on the same level in the same competition, so it's really fair game for anyone."
What Stankey loves about the sport is the individuality that comes with being on the team.
"Even though it's a team sport, it's more individual in a sense. It's more you out there shooting your own score; you don't have any help from your team while you're shooting. It's all you," she said.
"I love the discipline it gives you, it helps in everyday life. I just have a passion for it and love the competition."
Although rifle may not draw the crowds that a sport such as football does, Ole Miss junior Keely Stankey has a passion for her sport as much as any other athlete. With her success so far she has climbed to the levels of the many Ole Miss athletic stars, and looks to further her that in the coming years.