University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, February 18
Murray, Ky.
University of Memphis
at
NCAA Sectional Qualifier
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Tigers Rifle Heads Into Postseason
Feb 17, 2017 | Rifle
Memphis to shoot in Saturday's NCAA Sectional Qualifier.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rifle is the first University of Memphis winter sport to start postseason action, and the Tigers squad kicks off its championship quest at the 2017 NCAA Sectional Qualifier this weekend.
On Saturday, Memphis shoots at the NCAA Sectional Qualifier in Murray, Ky. Murray State is hosting the match at its on-campus facility, the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.
All four teams shooting in Saturday's match are nationally-ranked with Murray State at No. 3, Nebraska No. 8, Memphis No. 11 and UT Martin No. 19. The Tigers have faced both Murray State and UT Martin four times and Nebraska once earlier this season.
Since the calendar turned to 2017, Memphis has faced another opponent – a facility move that took away valuable practice time from the squad. In addition to no NCAA-permitted practice time over the semester break, the entire Tigers roster helped with the move and set-up, prepping the facility for home matches in late January and mid-February.
However, for head coach Butch Woolbright's Tigers, Saturday starts a new season, and with it, a new opportunity.
"We're excited and optimistic about the postseason," said Woolbright. "Saturday's match gives us another chance to bolster our résumé for selection to the NCAA Championships.
"We are so grateful for our new home on campus, but the recent move greatly limited our practice time, and in turn, caused inconsistent performances this past month. Over the last week, we've had more scheduled practice time, and we've shot pretty well. We now need to carry that over into the Saturday's match."
The NCAA Sectional Qualifier makes up half (50 percent) of the score used to determine the nation's top-eight teams that compete at the 2017 NCAA Rifle Championships. The other 50 percent of the score is from the team's top-three results from the regular season, with each result from a different shooting range.
The eight teams that move on to the NCAA Championships will be announced Feb. 22. The 2017 NCAA Rifle Championships are scheduled for Mar. 10-11 at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Last season, the Tigers placed third at the NCAA Sectional Qualifier. Amy Fister was selected as an individual smallbore competitor for the 2016 NCAA Championships.
On Saturday, Memphis shoots at the NCAA Sectional Qualifier in Murray, Ky. Murray State is hosting the match at its on-campus facility, the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.
All four teams shooting in Saturday's match are nationally-ranked with Murray State at No. 3, Nebraska No. 8, Memphis No. 11 and UT Martin No. 19. The Tigers have faced both Murray State and UT Martin four times and Nebraska once earlier this season.
Since the calendar turned to 2017, Memphis has faced another opponent – a facility move that took away valuable practice time from the squad. In addition to no NCAA-permitted practice time over the semester break, the entire Tigers roster helped with the move and set-up, prepping the facility for home matches in late January and mid-February.
However, for head coach Butch Woolbright's Tigers, Saturday starts a new season, and with it, a new opportunity.
"We're excited and optimistic about the postseason," said Woolbright. "Saturday's match gives us another chance to bolster our résumé for selection to the NCAA Championships.
"We are so grateful for our new home on campus, but the recent move greatly limited our practice time, and in turn, caused inconsistent performances this past month. Over the last week, we've had more scheduled practice time, and we've shot pretty well. We now need to carry that over into the Saturday's match."
The NCAA Sectional Qualifier makes up half (50 percent) of the score used to determine the nation's top-eight teams that compete at the 2017 NCAA Rifle Championships. The other 50 percent of the score is from the team's top-three results from the regular season, with each result from a different shooting range.
The eight teams that move on to the NCAA Championships will be announced Feb. 22. The 2017 NCAA Rifle Championships are scheduled for Mar. 10-11 at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Last season, the Tigers placed third at the NCAA Sectional Qualifier. Amy Fister was selected as an individual smallbore competitor for the 2016 NCAA Championships.
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