The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Jacksonville State
Rifle Hosts NCAA Qualifier
2/18/2022 | Rifle
Rebels to Honor Four Seniors
OXFORD, Miss. – With the regular season complete, GARC Co-Champions and No. 5 Ole Miss rifle have its sights set on a trip back to the NCAA Rifle Championship. The Rebels look to lock up their spot Saturday morning when they host Jacksonville State in their Qualifier.
The eight teams that will advance to the NCAA Rifle Championships in March will be decided over the weekend. Half of NCAA qualification is determined by the top-three scores fired at three separate locations averaged together, with the other half consisting of the score tallied at a team's NCAA Qualifier match.
Ole Miss currently sits fifth in the NCAA Team Selection standings with a 4727.33 average. The Rebels have shot well and consistently down the stretch. Last weekend, they repeated as GARC Co-Champions, taking a share of the regular season title for the second straight season.
Sophomore Lea Horvath has led the Rebels in all but two matches this season. She ranks as one of the nations' best, owning averages of 589.3 in smallbore (third), 597.2 in air rifle (third) and an 1186.5 aggregate (fourth).
The senior duo of Abby Buesseler and Jillian Zakrzeski is a big factor for the Rebels. Buesseler fired an 1178 last weekend, while Zakrzeski turned in an 1173. Both have served as counters throughout the season and were a part of last year's NCAA Third Place team.
Juniors Kristen Derting and Claire O'Neel have also shined on the line in big ways this season for Ole Miss. Derting paced the field in smallbore last weekend and ranks 12th in the nation in the discipline. O'Neel, on the other hand, was lights out in air rifle her last time out, firing a 597. She is the eighth-best performer in air rifle this season with a 595.3 average.
Smallbore action is set to begin at 8 a.m. CT. Saturday's match will serve as senior day for the Rebels. They will honor Abby Buesseler, Megan Taylor, Erin Walsh and Jillian Zakrzeski. Festivities for the senior celebration will begin at 5 p.m. after the conclusion of the second relay. All matches are open to the public, and fans who cannot attend 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
