University of Memphis Athletics
Wednesday, September 21
Oxford, Miss.
University of Memphis
at
Ole Miss Open
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Rifle Opens 2016-17 Season Wednesday
Sep 20, 2016 | Rifle
No. 10 Memphis to shoot in Ole Miss Open.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After holding a top-10 national ranking for most of 2015-16, the University of Memphis rifle squad opens its 2016-17 campaign this week in a familiar position – a top-10 national ranking.
The Tigers, ranked No. 10 in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason poll, begins its season with two competitions this week. Memphis travels to Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Sept. 21 to shoot in the Ole Miss Open and returns home to host the Tiger Open, which begins Sept. 24.
Both invitationals will take two weeks for all teams to compete. Complete results for both will be available the first week in October.
Last fall, Memphis finished third in the Ole Miss Open and second in its own Tiger Open. At the home invitational, the Tigers shot a team aggregate score of 4668, a program record for the opening match of a season.
"Everyone is excited to get the season started," said Tigers head coach Butch Woolbright, who is in his 24th season at the helm of the program. "Our team chemistry is phenomenal.
"All teams across the nation have high expectations at this time, and that's great. But, it is early, and we'll have to see how this season plays out. I'm ready to get the ball rolling."
For Memphis, that ball starts rolling Wednesday when the Tigers shoot in the Ole Miss Open at The Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center in Oxford. Among the teams joining No. 10 Memphis and No. 15 Ole Miss at the event are No. 2 Murray State, No. 4 Kentucky and No. 11 Jacksonville State.
The Tigers begin the 2016-17 season with something Woolbright can't recall he's ever had in his career – lots of experience returning.
"This may be the most experienced team I've ever had," said Woolbright. "We've got some good depth, especially when you add in our talented newcomers."
Leading the squad are team co-captains and seniors Jack Berhorst and Amy Fister. Berhorst is in his second season at Memphis after transferring from Murray State prior to the 2015-16 campaign. Fister is a three-year veteran and has competed in three-straight NCAA Championships. She was a member of the 2013-14 Tigers squad that placed fourth in the nation. The past two NCAA Championships, Fister competed in smallbore as an individual.
Juniors Haylea Broughton, Makennon Doran and Eli Rischling and sophomore Leighton Dempster also return. Broughton, Dempster and Doran all contributed in 2015-16, while Rischling struggled due to injury most of the season and missed some matches. According to Woolbright, Rischling is returning to solid form he showed at the end of his freshman season.
Freshmen Levi Clark, Amberlie Ezell and Abby Votava are quickly adapting to the college level and may push for starting spots some time in 2016-17.
"Everyone has performed well in practice," said Woolbright. "The newcomers are adjusting well. I'm really pleased with my team."Â
The Tigers, ranked No. 10 in the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason poll, begins its season with two competitions this week. Memphis travels to Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Sept. 21 to shoot in the Ole Miss Open and returns home to host the Tiger Open, which begins Sept. 24.
Both invitationals will take two weeks for all teams to compete. Complete results for both will be available the first week in October.
Last fall, Memphis finished third in the Ole Miss Open and second in its own Tiger Open. At the home invitational, the Tigers shot a team aggregate score of 4668, a program record for the opening match of a season.
"Everyone is excited to get the season started," said Tigers head coach Butch Woolbright, who is in his 24th season at the helm of the program. "Our team chemistry is phenomenal.
"All teams across the nation have high expectations at this time, and that's great. But, it is early, and we'll have to see how this season plays out. I'm ready to get the ball rolling."
For Memphis, that ball starts rolling Wednesday when the Tigers shoot in the Ole Miss Open at The Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center in Oxford. Among the teams joining No. 10 Memphis and No. 15 Ole Miss at the event are No. 2 Murray State, No. 4 Kentucky and No. 11 Jacksonville State.
The Tigers begin the 2016-17 season with something Woolbright can't recall he's ever had in his career – lots of experience returning.
"This may be the most experienced team I've ever had," said Woolbright. "We've got some good depth, especially when you add in our talented newcomers."
Leading the squad are team co-captains and seniors Jack Berhorst and Amy Fister. Berhorst is in his second season at Memphis after transferring from Murray State prior to the 2015-16 campaign. Fister is a three-year veteran and has competed in three-straight NCAA Championships. She was a member of the 2013-14 Tigers squad that placed fourth in the nation. The past two NCAA Championships, Fister competed in smallbore as an individual.
Juniors Haylea Broughton, Makennon Doran and Eli Rischling and sophomore Leighton Dempster also return. Broughton, Dempster and Doran all contributed in 2015-16, while Rischling struggled due to injury most of the season and missed some matches. According to Woolbright, Rischling is returning to solid form he showed at the end of his freshman season.
Freshmen Levi Clark, Amberlie Ezell and Abby Votava are quickly adapting to the college level and may push for starting spots some time in 2016-17.
"Everyone has performed well in practice," said Woolbright. "The newcomers are adjusting well. I'm really pleased with my team."Â
Players Mentioned
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