The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, September 26
Oxford, Miss.
8 AM
Ole Miss
vs
UT Martin
Rifle Opens Season, Hosts No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 UT Martin
9/25/2026 | Rifle
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss rifle program is set to open the 2026-27 campaign, hosting No. 14 Ohio State and No. 18 UT Martin on Saturday at 8 a.m. CT, at the Ole Miss Rifle Center.
The Rebels enter the season as the No. 5 team in the nation according to the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason rankings.
On the Line
Under head coach Will Shaner, the Ole Miss rifle program recorded a historic season, going 10-2 and winning the national title in smallbore among several achievements.
Shaner helped lead the Rebels to a third-place finish overall, while taking home the program's first smallbore title. Additionally, Audrey Gogniat defended her national title in air rifle, surging to win the event en route to CRCA All-American honors alongside teammate Gracie Dinh.
The Rebels delivered another 10-win campaign, going 10-2 overall while earning several key victories along the way. As a result, the Rebels spent time as the No. 1 team in the nation in November.
Back-to-Back Champ
Audrey Gogniat returns for another season leading the way for the Rebels. The Le Noirmont, Switzerland native defended her individual national air rifle title at the NCAA Championship, scoring a 251 in the final round and becoming the first NCAA athlete to repeat as NCAA Air Rifle champion since 2012 and 2013.
Scouting the Opponents
The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the season as the No. 14 team in the nation under head coach Ryan Tanoue. The Buckeyes travel to Mississippi after falling to the Rebels in Oxford last season, 4721-4697. Sophomore Mackenzie Pruden and junior Gabriella Sprague are among key returners for the Buckeyes.
After a career as an athlete at UT Martin, head coach Alayna Walther leads the Skyhawks in her second season at the helm. Junior Sophia Ashford and sophomore Olivia Harvey are key returners, as the Skyhawks have to make up for the loss of the graduating Joey Kovach. The Rebels are set to face off against UT Martin for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
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.
The Rebels enter the season as the No. 5 team in the nation according to the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) preseason rankings.
On the Line
- The Rebels return a significant portion of last season's historic roster, including back-to-back NCAA air rifle champion Audrey Gogniat and fellow All-American Gracie Dinh.
- This season, the Rebels added Avana Harford and Kamdyn McFarland as two new freshmen to the program.
- Additionally, the Rebels hired Sara Karasova as an assistant coach. Karasova joins the program via after spending the 2025-26 season as the graduate assistant coach at Memphis.
- Prior to beginning her coaching career, Karasova 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.
- The Rebels are set to open a campaign for the program's seventh consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.
Under head coach Will Shaner, the Ole Miss rifle program recorded a historic season, going 10-2 and winning the national title in smallbore among several achievements.
Shaner helped lead the Rebels to a third-place finish overall, while taking home the program's first smallbore title. Additionally, Audrey Gogniat defended her national title in air rifle, surging to win the event en route to CRCA All-American honors alongside teammate Gracie Dinh.
The Rebels delivered another 10-win campaign, going 10-2 overall while earning several key victories along the way. As a result, the Rebels spent time as the No. 1 team in the nation in November.
Back-to-Back Champ
Audrey Gogniat returns for another season leading the way for the Rebels. The Le Noirmont, Switzerland native defended her individual national air rifle title at the NCAA Championship, scoring a 251 in the final round and becoming the first NCAA athlete to repeat as NCAA Air Rifle champion since 2012 and 2013.
Scouting the Opponents
The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the season as the No. 14 team in the nation under head coach Ryan Tanoue. The Buckeyes travel to Mississippi after falling to the Rebels in Oxford last season, 4721-4697. Sophomore Mackenzie Pruden and junior Gabriella Sprague are among key returners for the Buckeyes.
After a career as an athlete at UT Martin, head coach Alayna Walther leads the Skyhawks in her second season at the helm. Junior Sophia Ashford and sophomore Olivia Harvey are key returners, as the Skyhawks have to make up for the loss of the graduating Joey Kovach. The Rebels are set to face off against UT Martin for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
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.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, February 23
Tuesday, October 21
Thursday, March 20