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The University of Mississippi Athletics
My Freshman Year with Ole Miss Rifle – Jillian Zakrzeski
6/5/2019 | Rifle
Zakrzeski was the Rebels’ Top Aggregate Scorer in 2018-19
OXFORD, Miss. – Jillian Zakrzeski, our third and final 2018-19 Ole Miss Rifle freshman to be featured, led the team in air rifle and aggregate averages in her first full season as a Rebel.
After redshirting and participating in three matches unattached during the 2017-18 campaign, Zakrzeski didn't take long to make a tremendous impact for Ole Miss last season.
The Constantia, N.Y. product opened eyes when she tied the fourth-highest air rifle total (595 points) in program history during her second match as a Rebel on Oct. 13 at Army West Point. She then repeated that score on Nov. 17 at Murray State.
Her air rifle achievements continued throughout the season as she was a counter in 13 of 14 matches. She was Ole Miss' top shooter or tied as the best shooter seven times. That consistency garnered Zakrzeski a GARC Air Rifle All-Conference Honorable Mention nod.
On the smallbore side, the Criminal Justice major counted in 12 matches. She led the Rebels with a personal-best score of 584 at the NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 16 at Jacksonville State. On that same day, Zakrzeski secured her highest aggregate total of 1174.
Like many of her teammates throughout the season, Zakrzeski found success at outside competitions. She gained experience at the 2018 Winter Airgun Championships in early December, and competed in her second National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships in April. Zakrzeski cracked the top 10 in both air rifle (seventh) and smallbore (10th).
Now an incoming sophomore, Zakrzeski and her rifle classmates will look to stay sharp over the summer and continue their momentum for next fall. Ole Miss Rifle will send athletes to Ft. Benning, Georgia to compete at the USA Shooting Rifle/Pistol National Championships, which is held June 21-29.
Jillian Zakrzeski on what she likes most about Oxford and Ole Miss…
"Coming from a big town to a small community really culture shocked me when I came to Ole Miss. I have never felt so at home being halfway across the country from where I grew up in my entire life. It's the feeling of being accepted no matter who you are or where you came from that the people of Oxford and the Ole Miss campus offer to everyone.
It's like you're being greeted with open arms, and never wanting to leave after that.
Being a part of the Ole Miss Rifle Team has taught me what it's like being a part of something that means more than its title. I not only represent myself, I represent my university, and everything that goes along with it. I represent Oxford, the entire shooting community, and where I came from to be where I am now.
I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Oxford has the ability to make anyone fall in love with its small-town coziness. It's like I was meant to cross its path, and for that I'm forever grateful to be an Ole Miss Rebel."
For more information on Ole Miss Rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle), and at olemisssports.com.
After redshirting and participating in three matches unattached during the 2017-18 campaign, Zakrzeski didn't take long to make a tremendous impact for Ole Miss last season.
The Constantia, N.Y. product opened eyes when she tied the fourth-highest air rifle total (595 points) in program history during her second match as a Rebel on Oct. 13 at Army West Point. She then repeated that score on Nov. 17 at Murray State.
Her air rifle achievements continued throughout the season as she was a counter in 13 of 14 matches. She was Ole Miss' top shooter or tied as the best shooter seven times. That consistency garnered Zakrzeski a GARC Air Rifle All-Conference Honorable Mention nod.
On the smallbore side, the Criminal Justice major counted in 12 matches. She led the Rebels with a personal-best score of 584 at the NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 16 at Jacksonville State. On that same day, Zakrzeski secured her highest aggregate total of 1174.
Like many of her teammates throughout the season, Zakrzeski found success at outside competitions. She gained experience at the 2018 Winter Airgun Championships in early December, and competed in her second National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships in April. Zakrzeski cracked the top 10 in both air rifle (seventh) and smallbore (10th).
Now an incoming sophomore, Zakrzeski and her rifle classmates will look to stay sharp over the summer and continue their momentum for next fall. Ole Miss Rifle will send athletes to Ft. Benning, Georgia to compete at the USA Shooting Rifle/Pistol National Championships, which is held June 21-29.
Jillian Zakrzeski on what she likes most about Oxford and Ole Miss…
"Coming from a big town to a small community really culture shocked me when I came to Ole Miss. I have never felt so at home being halfway across the country from where I grew up in my entire life. It's the feeling of being accepted no matter who you are or where you came from that the people of Oxford and the Ole Miss campus offer to everyone.
It's like you're being greeted with open arms, and never wanting to leave after that.
Being a part of the Ole Miss Rifle Team has taught me what it's like being a part of something that means more than its title. I not only represent myself, I represent my university, and everything that goes along with it. I represent Oxford, the entire shooting community, and where I came from to be where I am now.
I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Oxford has the ability to make anyone fall in love with its small-town coziness. It's like I was meant to cross its path, and for that I'm forever grateful to be an Ole Miss Rebel."
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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