SKYHAWK RIFLE KICKS OFF 2018-19 SEASON THIS WEEKEND AT MEMPHIS TIGER OPEN
9/20/2018 9:03:00 AM | Rifle
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin rifle squad is set to open the 2018-19 season as the Skyhawks take part in the Memphis Tiger Open this weekend.
UT Martin finished ranked 19th in the nation last year and looks to keep up its streak of being in the top-20 in the nation under second-year head coach MJ Vowell.
Vowell will turn to senior Andre Delcalzo and junior Kaitlin Korinek as co-captains for leadership. In his fourth year as a member of the UT Martin rifle team, Delcalzo brings to the table what cannot be replaced – experience. A two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference firer, Korinek has proven that she can hang with the best in the league in her young career.
Returning for UT Martin are Delcalzo, All-OVC second team member Korinek and All-OVC newcomers Kalen Royal, Jacob Osborne and Celia Gelpey. Also returning are Amanda Mayo and Jennifer Plocinik.
"We lost six seniors last year and that was a pretty significant blow but we have Andre who brings a lot to the table with his experience and track record as a proven shooter," said Vowell. "Both the returners and newcomers have posted strong scores on the air rifle side. With having such a young team, we will have the chance to build back and we will see this group gain some momentum this year. 2018 All-OVC newcomers Gelpey, Osborne and Royal have built onto what they exhibited last season and have come into practice strong. We will look to those three as key contributors this year."
Coach Vowell has chosen a very talented foursome to replace the 2017-18 seniors as she will look to talented freshmen Tristan Grisham, Rachel Sprague, Rachel Mills and Abigail Donald to complete her roster.
It is no easy task to make a team gel after such a large turnover but Vowell says that the squad has welcomed the newcomers into their fold with open arms.
"I brought the team in earlier this year, before school started, so that the team could build a bond – since we had such a big turnover," Vowell said. "They have done a terrific job at the task given them. We also changed up our practice time this year to early in the morning as opposed to late in the day. I did that so we could work on things while they were all fresh and that they could focus on their academics and other activities the rest of the day."
This season's schedule will feature a mix of the nation's top rifle teams. Opening at the Memphis Tiger Open, the Skyhawks will hit the ground running as the open boasts a very competitive field featuring Memphis, Jacksonville State and UAB.
The Skyhawks will then head to nearby Murray State on Sept. 30 followed by a long weekend at Morehead State (Oct. 6-7) before taking on Murray State again on Nov. 4.
UT Martin rounds out the fall slate with a Nov. 17 match at Jacksonville State which will pit the Skyhawks against perennial powerhouse Nebraska, Memphis, UAB and North Georgia.
The spring schedule will open with UT Martin hosting UAB on Jan. 26 and Georgia Military College on Jan. 27.
The Skyhawks will close the spring slate by taking part in the Withrow Invitational in Murray, Ky. on Jan. 27 which features Murray State, Kentucky, North Georgia, Memphis, Jacksonville State and UAB.
The OVC Championships will be held in Jacksonville, Ala. on Feb. 2-3 as the Skyhawks look to make another run at postseason accolades following their five All-OVC shooters last year. The NCAA Qualifier will be take place on Feb. 16 at Murray, Ky.
UT Martin finished ranked 19th in the nation last year and looks to keep up its streak of being in the top-20 in the nation under second-year head coach MJ Vowell.
Vowell will turn to senior Andre Delcalzo and junior Kaitlin Korinek as co-captains for leadership. In his fourth year as a member of the UT Martin rifle team, Delcalzo brings to the table what cannot be replaced – experience. A two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference firer, Korinek has proven that she can hang with the best in the league in her young career.
Returning for UT Martin are Delcalzo, All-OVC second team member Korinek and All-OVC newcomers Kalen Royal, Jacob Osborne and Celia Gelpey. Also returning are Amanda Mayo and Jennifer Plocinik.
"We lost six seniors last year and that was a pretty significant blow but we have Andre who brings a lot to the table with his experience and track record as a proven shooter," said Vowell. "Both the returners and newcomers have posted strong scores on the air rifle side. With having such a young team, we will have the chance to build back and we will see this group gain some momentum this year. 2018 All-OVC newcomers Gelpey, Osborne and Royal have built onto what they exhibited last season and have come into practice strong. We will look to those three as key contributors this year."
Coach Vowell has chosen a very talented foursome to replace the 2017-18 seniors as she will look to talented freshmen Tristan Grisham, Rachel Sprague, Rachel Mills and Abigail Donald to complete her roster.
It is no easy task to make a team gel after such a large turnover but Vowell says that the squad has welcomed the newcomers into their fold with open arms.
"I brought the team in earlier this year, before school started, so that the team could build a bond – since we had such a big turnover," Vowell said. "They have done a terrific job at the task given them. We also changed up our practice time this year to early in the morning as opposed to late in the day. I did that so we could work on things while they were all fresh and that they could focus on their academics and other activities the rest of the day."
This season's schedule will feature a mix of the nation's top rifle teams. Opening at the Memphis Tiger Open, the Skyhawks will hit the ground running as the open boasts a very competitive field featuring Memphis, Jacksonville State and UAB.
The Skyhawks will then head to nearby Murray State on Sept. 30 followed by a long weekend at Morehead State (Oct. 6-7) before taking on Murray State again on Nov. 4.
UT Martin rounds out the fall slate with a Nov. 17 match at Jacksonville State which will pit the Skyhawks against perennial powerhouse Nebraska, Memphis, UAB and North Georgia.
The spring schedule will open with UT Martin hosting UAB on Jan. 26 and Georgia Military College on Jan. 27.
The Skyhawks will close the spring slate by taking part in the Withrow Invitational in Murray, Ky. on Jan. 27 which features Murray State, Kentucky, North Georgia, Memphis, Jacksonville State and UAB.
The OVC Championships will be held in Jacksonville, Ala. on Feb. 2-3 as the Skyhawks look to make another run at postseason accolades following their five All-OVC shooters last year. The NCAA Qualifier will be take place on Feb. 16 at Murray, Ky.
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