The University of Mississippi Athletics
Trio of Rifle Athletes Advance to National Junior Olympics
1/9/2019 | Rifle
Cuozzo, Kisch and Zakrzeski qualified
OXFORD, Miss. – Three Ole Miss rifle athletes posted automatic qualifying scores at state competitions for the National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships. Sophomores Kamilla Kisch and Sophia Cuozzo advanced at the Mississippi State USA Shooting Junior Olympic Air Rifle and Smallbore Championships in air rifle, while rookie Jillian Zakrzeski earned automatic scores in both disciplines in the Ohio competition.
Qualifying for the NJORC is through state championships held in December and January. The male and female state champions in each event are invited to Nationals provided they shoot a minimum score. In addition, the highest scoring shooters nationwide in each age group receive At-Large invitations.
Shooters who are unable to compete in their home state are eligible only for At-Large invitations. Cut scores for automatic invitations are published in advance. This year, athletes aged 17-20 had to obtain cut scores of 585 in air rifle and/or 575 in smallbore. Four Rebels were eligible to compete.
The Mississippi competition was held at the Ole Miss Rifle Range with a trio of Rebels earning the top three spots in both disciplines. In air rifle, Kisch (591) and Cuozzo (589) secured automatic marks. Cuozzo's score was a personal best in competition. Freshman Erin Walsh fired a 579 and will wait to see if she advances.
Kisch narrowly missed an automatic qualifying score of 575 in smallbore with a match-best 574, but has a strong chance for an At-Large invite. Walsh (570) and Cuozzo (569) rounded out the top three.
Zakrzeski tallied wins in both events during the Ohio state competition at the University of Akron's Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range. The redshirt freshman secured a 591 in air rifle and tied her career high in smallbore with a 578.
After all firing is completed, USA Shooting will issue first round At-Large invitations, and shooters who fired below the automatic qualifying score may get picked. Ole Miss rifle coach Marsha Beasley is hopeful that the Rebels will receive additional invitations and just have to see how shooters across the United States perform.
The National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs during April. Exact dates will be announced later.
Up Next…
Ole Miss resumes its NCAA slate Jan. 12-13 in Columbus, Ohio at 8 a.m. both days. Saturday the Rebels will compete against Ohio State and Alaska Fairbanks, and Akron on Sunday.
Ole Miss Results
Mississippi State USA Shooting Junior Olympic Air Rifle and Smallbore Championships
Women's Air Rifle – Auto: 585
Women's Smallbore – Auto: 575
Ohio State USA Shooting Junior Olympic Air Rifle and Smallbore Championships
Women's Air Rifle – Auto: 585
Women's Smallbore – Auto: 575
For more information on Ole Miss Rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle), and at olemisssports.com.
Qualifying for the NJORC is through state championships held in December and January. The male and female state champions in each event are invited to Nationals provided they shoot a minimum score. In addition, the highest scoring shooters nationwide in each age group receive At-Large invitations.
Shooters who are unable to compete in their home state are eligible only for At-Large invitations. Cut scores for automatic invitations are published in advance. This year, athletes aged 17-20 had to obtain cut scores of 585 in air rifle and/or 575 in smallbore. Four Rebels were eligible to compete.
The Mississippi competition was held at the Ole Miss Rifle Range with a trio of Rebels earning the top three spots in both disciplines. In air rifle, Kisch (591) and Cuozzo (589) secured automatic marks. Cuozzo's score was a personal best in competition. Freshman Erin Walsh fired a 579 and will wait to see if she advances.
Kisch narrowly missed an automatic qualifying score of 575 in smallbore with a match-best 574, but has a strong chance for an At-Large invite. Walsh (570) and Cuozzo (569) rounded out the top three.
Zakrzeski tallied wins in both events during the Ohio state competition at the University of Akron's Robert A. Pinn Shooting Range. The redshirt freshman secured a 591 in air rifle and tied her career high in smallbore with a 578.
After all firing is completed, USA Shooting will issue first round At-Large invitations, and shooters who fired below the automatic qualifying score may get picked. Ole Miss rifle coach Marsha Beasley is hopeful that the Rebels will receive additional invitations and just have to see how shooters across the United States perform.
The National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs during April. Exact dates will be announced later.
Up Next…
Ole Miss resumes its NCAA slate Jan. 12-13 in Columbus, Ohio at 8 a.m. both days. Saturday the Rebels will compete against Ohio State and Alaska Fairbanks, and Akron on Sunday.
Ole Miss Results
Mississippi State USA Shooting Junior Olympic Air Rifle and Smallbore Championships
Women's Air Rifle – Auto: 585
- Kamilla Kisch 591*
- Sophia Cuozzo 589*
- Erin Walsh 579
Women's Smallbore – Auto: 575
- Kamilla Kisch 574
- Erin Walsh 570
- Sophia Cuozzo 569
Ohio State USA Shooting Junior Olympic Air Rifle and Smallbore Championships
Women's Air Rifle – Auto: 585
- Jillian Zakrzeski 591*
Women's Smallbore – Auto: 575
- Jillian Zakrzeski 578*
For more information on Ole Miss Rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle), and at olemisssports.com.
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