Sunday, October 6
Murray, Ky.
9 a.m.
UT Martin
at
Murray State
Photo by: UT Martin University Relations
Skyhawk Rifle Squad Begins 2024-25 Campaign With Road Matchup On Sunday
10/4/2024 11:22:00 AM | Rifle
MARTIN, Tenn. – The 10-match regular season slate for the University of Tennessee at Martin rifle program starts on Sunday, Oct. 5 when they Skyhawks take the short drive to Murray State for the 2024-25 season opener at 9 a.m.
UT Martin's campaign begins at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range for the third time in the last four years and also the same site where the Skyhawks wrapped up their 2023-24 season in the NCAA Qualifier 231 days ago. Head coach MJ Vowell is in her eighth season at the helm of the UT Martin rifle program as the Skyhawks return five student-athletes from last year's squad that set a school record for aggregate scoring (4,624 points) and smallbore points (2,306) in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
All five UT Martin returners have earned OVC postseason accolades in their career, led by senior Alayna Walther. The four-time All-OVC recipient and two-time OVC All-Newcomer led the Skyhawks in aggregate scoring in nine of the team's 11 matches last season, averaging a 589 score in air rifle to go along with a 583 average in smallbore.
Joining Walther on the All-OVC list last season was junior Joey Kovach, who garnered All-OVC smallbore second team honors for the second straight year after receiving All-Newcomer status in both air rifle and smallbore in 2022-23. Aubrey Chenoweth also returns for her sophomore campaign after showing flashes of brilliance on the way to an OVC All-Newcomer mention in air rifle last year.
Senior Jesse Chamberlain (2022 OVC All-Newcomer in both air rifle and smallbore) and junior Jeffrey Bourassa (2023 OVC All-Newcomer in smallbore) are also set to heavily to contribute during the 2024-25 season.
An impressive recruiting class of Rachel Haines (first place in the 1000 7x Junior/Senior division at the 2023 Texas State Rifle Association Prone/3P Outdoor State Championships), Sadie Palfrey (two gold medals in the Individual Air Rifle Division at the 2023 National 4-H Air Rifle Championships) and Liam Tegeler (integral member of a state championship and fifth straight conference title squad) round out this season's UT Martin roster.
After the season opener, the Skyhawks will go back to Murray, Ky. for a neutral-site contest against Akron on Oct. 11. UT Martin's home opener is scheduled for Oct. 19 against Morehead State before the Skyhawks close out a busy October at Memphis (Oct. 26) and against Jacksonville State (Oct. 27) in Murray.
UT Martin travels to Morehead State for a pair of matches on Nov. 1-2 before wrapping up the fall semester at Jacksonville State while additionally taking part in the Gamecock Invitational (Nov. 22-23).
A Jan. 18 home date against UAB serves as the final tuneup before the 2024 OVC Championships, which will take place in Murray on Feb. 1. Three weeks later, the Skyhawks return to Murray for a NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 22.
UT Martin's campaign begins at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range for the third time in the last four years and also the same site where the Skyhawks wrapped up their 2023-24 season in the NCAA Qualifier 231 days ago. Head coach MJ Vowell is in her eighth season at the helm of the UT Martin rifle program as the Skyhawks return five student-athletes from last year's squad that set a school record for aggregate scoring (4,624 points) and smallbore points (2,306) in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.
All five UT Martin returners have earned OVC postseason accolades in their career, led by senior Alayna Walther. The four-time All-OVC recipient and two-time OVC All-Newcomer led the Skyhawks in aggregate scoring in nine of the team's 11 matches last season, averaging a 589 score in air rifle to go along with a 583 average in smallbore.
Joining Walther on the All-OVC list last season was junior Joey Kovach, who garnered All-OVC smallbore second team honors for the second straight year after receiving All-Newcomer status in both air rifle and smallbore in 2022-23. Aubrey Chenoweth also returns for her sophomore campaign after showing flashes of brilliance on the way to an OVC All-Newcomer mention in air rifle last year.
Senior Jesse Chamberlain (2022 OVC All-Newcomer in both air rifle and smallbore) and junior Jeffrey Bourassa (2023 OVC All-Newcomer in smallbore) are also set to heavily to contribute during the 2024-25 season.
An impressive recruiting class of Rachel Haines (first place in the 1000 7x Junior/Senior division at the 2023 Texas State Rifle Association Prone/3P Outdoor State Championships), Sadie Palfrey (two gold medals in the Individual Air Rifle Division at the 2023 National 4-H Air Rifle Championships) and Liam Tegeler (integral member of a state championship and fifth straight conference title squad) round out this season's UT Martin roster.
After the season opener, the Skyhawks will go back to Murray, Ky. for a neutral-site contest against Akron on Oct. 11. UT Martin's home opener is scheduled for Oct. 19 against Morehead State before the Skyhawks close out a busy October at Memphis (Oct. 26) and against Jacksonville State (Oct. 27) in Murray.
UT Martin travels to Morehead State for a pair of matches on Nov. 1-2 before wrapping up the fall semester at Jacksonville State while additionally taking part in the Gamecock Invitational (Nov. 22-23).
A Jan. 18 home date against UAB serves as the final tuneup before the 2024 OVC Championships, which will take place in Murray on Feb. 1. Three weeks later, the Skyhawks return to Murray for a NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 22.
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