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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Alaska Fairbanks
Rifle Opens Winter Slate With Tough Road Test
1/14/2022 | Rifle
Rebels Square Off with No. 1 Alaska Fairbanks in Two Matches
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – After posting a 6-1 record in the fall, No. 4 Ole Miss rifle is ready to open its winter and spring portion of the season with a tough road test against No. 1 Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday and Sunday, January 15 and 16.
Heading into their first match of 2022, the Rebels boast a solid 4720.33 three-score average. This weekend also marks the third and fourth consecutive road matches for Ole Miss, giving the team a great opportunity to boost its scores for NCAA Championship selections in February.
Lea Horvath paces the squad and ranks third in the nation with an aggregate average of 1186.3. The sophomore tied the school record twice this past fall with an 1190. Juniors Claire O'Neel and Kristen Derting have also been key shooters this season, each posting scores in the 1180s for the Rebels. Derting has established herself as one of the top smallbore performers in the country, ranking 10th nationally with a 586.8 average. O'Neel, on the other hand, has stepped up in air rifle, checking in with the 11th best mark in the NCAA (594.7), including a career-high 599 her last time out.
Seniors Abby Buesseler and Jillian Zakrzeski have also served as counters this season. Buesseler has been consistent for the Rebels all year, averaging just shy of an 1170.0, while Zakrzeski turned in her best performance of the season before the break with an 1176.
Alaska Fairbanks has held the No. 1 spot in the CRCA Poll for the majority of the season. Their last time out, the Nanooks toppled the NCAA record with a 4749 aggregate score, including breaking the Rebels NCAA Smallbore record. They are paced by Rylan Kissell, the top individual in the nation, along with Sára Karasová and Kellen McAferty.
The first smallbore relay is set to begin at 12 p.m. CT on both days. Fans can follow along on social media for live updates throughout the match.
For more information on Ole Miss rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle) and at OleMissSports.com.
Players Mentioned
