.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA Championships
Weisz Wins Bronze Medal at NCAA Championships
3/12/2016 | Rifle
Final Results
AKRON, Ohio. - The third time was definitely the charm for Ole Miss rifle junior Alison Weisz. Weisz captured the bronze medal in air rifle at the NCAA Championships Saturday at the Louis and Freda Stile Athletic Field House.
Just last month, Weisz tied the school record (595) and took third at the GARC Championships. Saturday, she shot a 593 in the second relay, which tied her for third and qualified her for the finals. Weisz finished with a 184.0 in the final to capture bronze medal honors behind West Virginia's Ginny Thrasher and TCU's Mindy Miles.
"I never really had any numbers running through my head when I started shooting," Weisz said. "Towards the end I began to think about the score, but I really just worked on enjoying my time there. All too often people, especially athletes, get caught up in routine and going through the motions. You never really know when it might be your last chance to do something, so I'm learning to enjoy every moment in life. That's exactly what I did today.
"When I finished my relay, I thought there might be a possibility I made the finals, and when I found out I did, it really became a bonus for me. My next goal was to just have fun and enjoy the finals, because I made it."
Weisz earned the highest finish for a Rebel at NCAAs, since current Akron assistant coach Abbey Stanec finished runner-up in 2012.
"Ali earned every bit of today, working hard at every step," head coach Valerie Boothe said. "This was her highest finish and the best finish by an Ole Miss shooter in the current finals format. We couldn't be prouder of her and her performance."
The GARC Championships air rifle final was a back and forth affair with the lead changing places as shots were fired. With a championship on the line, the NCAA final was just as exciting according to Weisz.
"The final was so exciting! It was cool to take a moment and realize that this was the championships for the entire country. It's probably the highlight of my career thus far, but I don't plan on letting it be the final one," she said.
Weisz was making her third appearance at the NCAAs, second in air rifle. As a freshman she finished 16th out of 48 competitors and then in 2015, Weisz didn't qualify in air rifle, but in smallbore.
"It means a lot to be able to represent Ole Miss on the podium, it's such a blessing and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Both of my parents were there, which was great. I think that was my mom's first time to see me compete in a collegiate match, so I am happy she was able to see me do well. A lot of other family and friends watched online. I am grateful for the amount of support I have."
For more information on Ole Miss Rifle, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissRifle, on Facebook at OleMissRifle and on Instagram @OleMissRifle. Also follow head coach Valerie Boothe on Twitter at @ValerieBoothe.
Players Mentioned
