The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rifle Announces Sara Karasova as Assistant Coach
8/24/2026 | Rifle
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss rifle has added one of the sport's most accomplished competitors and rising coaches to its staff, as head coach Will Shaner announced the hiring of Sara Karasova as the Rebels' assistant coach.
Karasova joins Ole Miss after spending the 2025-26 season as the graduate assistant coach at Memphis. Prior to beginning her coaching career, she built an outstanding résumé at Alaska Fairbanks, where she graduated in 2025 after earning 12 All-America honors and helping lead the Nanooks to the 2023 NCAA team championship. She also established herself as one of the world's premier competitors in both air rifle and smallbore while achieving success internationally as a medalist at the ISSF World Cup and European Championships.
"As we searched for an assistant coach, we wanted someone who could immediately connect with our athletes and bring championship level experience to the program," Shaner said. "Sara is exactly that person for us."
As a student-athlete at Alaska Fairbanks, Karasova competed in 51 career matches and earned four CRCA All-America selections across all three rifle disciplines. She played a key role in the Nanooks' 2023 NCAA championship season and was named the 2025 NCAA Elite 90 Co-Winner, recognizing her excellence both in competition and in the classroom.
"I am very excited to be joining the Ole Miss rifle team as the new assistant coach," Karasova said. "Ole Miss has built one of the top rifle programs in the country, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my coaching journey under coach Shaner. I look forward to learning from him, sharing my experience, and contributing to the development and success of our student-athletes on and off the range."
A native of Šenov, Czech Republic, Karasova recorded career-best scores of 599 in air rifle, 596 in smallbore and an 1192 aggregate during her collegiate career. She surpassed an aggregate score of 1,180 in more than 30 matches, including a record-setting performance at the 2025 PRC Championships that helped Alaska Fairbanks capture its fourth PRC title.
Karasova also earned CRCA Rookie of the Year honors during the 2021-22 season, was recognized twice as a CRCA Scholastic All-American and collected eight First Team or Second Team All-America honors in air rifle and smallbore. Her consistency helped establish Alaska Fairbanks as one of the nation's elite rifle programs throughout her collegiate career.
On the international stage, Karasova claimed her first senior ISSF World Cup medal in 2025, earning bronze in the Women's 50-meter Rifle Three Positions event in Lima. She also captured gold at the 2024 European Championships after previously winning silver in the Women's 50-meter Rifle Prone event at the 2019 ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl.
"Her success as an NCAA Champion, All-American, and international medalist gives her tremendous credibility, but her work ethic and passion for helping athletes improve are what truly make her a great fit for Ole Miss," Shaner said. "We look forward to welcoming her to the Rebel family and getting the athletes ready for our next season."
Rebs on Socials
For more information on Ole Miss rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter/X (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle) and at OleMissSports.com.
Karasova joins Ole Miss after spending the 2025-26 season as the graduate assistant coach at Memphis. Prior to beginning her coaching career, she built an outstanding résumé at Alaska Fairbanks, where she graduated in 2025 after earning 12 All-America honors and helping lead the Nanooks to the 2023 NCAA team championship. She also established herself as one of the world's premier competitors in both air rifle and smallbore while achieving success internationally as a medalist at the ISSF World Cup and European Championships.
"As we searched for an assistant coach, we wanted someone who could immediately connect with our athletes and bring championship level experience to the program," Shaner said. "Sara is exactly that person for us."
As a student-athlete at Alaska Fairbanks, Karasova competed in 51 career matches and earned four CRCA All-America selections across all three rifle disciplines. She played a key role in the Nanooks' 2023 NCAA championship season and was named the 2025 NCAA Elite 90 Co-Winner, recognizing her excellence both in competition and in the classroom.
"I am very excited to be joining the Ole Miss rifle team as the new assistant coach," Karasova said. "Ole Miss has built one of the top rifle programs in the country, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue my coaching journey under coach Shaner. I look forward to learning from him, sharing my experience, and contributing to the development and success of our student-athletes on and off the range."
A native of Šenov, Czech Republic, Karasova recorded career-best scores of 599 in air rifle, 596 in smallbore and an 1192 aggregate during her collegiate career. She surpassed an aggregate score of 1,180 in more than 30 matches, including a record-setting performance at the 2025 PRC Championships that helped Alaska Fairbanks capture its fourth PRC title.
Karasova also earned CRCA Rookie of the Year honors during the 2021-22 season, was recognized twice as a CRCA Scholastic All-American and collected eight First Team or Second Team All-America honors in air rifle and smallbore. Her consistency helped establish Alaska Fairbanks as one of the nation's elite rifle programs throughout her collegiate career.
On the international stage, Karasova claimed her first senior ISSF World Cup medal in 2025, earning bronze in the Women's 50-meter Rifle Three Positions event in Lima. She also captured gold at the 2024 European Championships after previously winning silver in the Women's 50-meter Rifle Prone event at the 2019 ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl.
"Her success as an NCAA Champion, All-American, and international medalist gives her tremendous credibility, but her work ethic and passion for helping athletes improve are what truly make her a great fit for Ole Miss," Shaner said. "We look forward to welcoming her to the Rebel family and getting the athletes ready for our next season."
Rebs on Socials
For more information on Ole Miss rifle, follow the Rebels on Facebook (OleMissRifle), Twitter/X (@OleMissRifle), Instagram (@OleMissRifle) and at OleMissSports.com.
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