Sunday, February 8
Martin, Tenn.
9 a.m.
UT Martin
vs
Air Rifle
Skyhawks Finish Up At OVC Championships, Three Earn Accolades
2/8/2026 6:02:00 PM | Rifle
MARTIN, Tenn. – The 20th-ranked University of Tennessee at Martin rifle team shot a 2307in air rifle to finish the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Rifle Championships in third place with an aggregate of 4599, Sunday at the Skyhawk Rifle Range in Martin. No. 11 Murray State took home the conference championship with a 4687, while No. 17 Morehead State finished in second at 4687.
"I am very proud of our team and the way they competed right until the end," said interim head coach Alayna Walther. "Joey [Kovach] really stepped up for us this weekend. I couldn't be prouder of him, and I am happy he got the recognition he deserves from the OVC. Our two newcomers, Olivia [Harvey] and Sophia [Ashford], have really progressed throughout the season, and I'm thrilled they were honored by the league as well."
Joey Kovach led the Skyhawks again on day two with a season-high 586 in air rifle to finish the two-day event with a career-best aggregate of 1166. Sophia Ashford followed Kovach at 581, while Aubrey Chenoweth shot a 574. Jeffrey Bourassa and Olivia Harvey completed the scoring for the Skyhawks with each firing a 566.
Following the conclusion of the championship, three Skyhawks received postseason accolades. Joey Kovach was a two-time All-OVC selection, earning first-team honors in smallbore and second-team honors in air rifle. Sophia Ashford was named to the All-OVC second team in smallbore, as well as earning All-Newcomer honors in smallbore and air rifle. Olivia Harvey rounded out the award for UT Martin by also being named to the All-Newcomer team in both smallbore and air rifle.
The last remaining match on the Skyhawks' schedule for the 2025-26 season is the annual NCAA Qualifier at Murray State Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.
"I am very proud of our team and the way they competed right until the end," said interim head coach Alayna Walther. "Joey [Kovach] really stepped up for us this weekend. I couldn't be prouder of him, and I am happy he got the recognition he deserves from the OVC. Our two newcomers, Olivia [Harvey] and Sophia [Ashford], have really progressed throughout the season, and I'm thrilled they were honored by the league as well."
Joey Kovach led the Skyhawks again on day two with a season-high 586 in air rifle to finish the two-day event with a career-best aggregate of 1166. Sophia Ashford followed Kovach at 581, while Aubrey Chenoweth shot a 574. Jeffrey Bourassa and Olivia Harvey completed the scoring for the Skyhawks with each firing a 566.
Following the conclusion of the championship, three Skyhawks received postseason accolades. Joey Kovach was a two-time All-OVC selection, earning first-team honors in smallbore and second-team honors in air rifle. Sophia Ashford was named to the All-OVC second team in smallbore, as well as earning All-Newcomer honors in smallbore and air rifle. Olivia Harvey rounded out the award for UT Martin by also being named to the All-Newcomer team in both smallbore and air rifle.
The last remaining match on the Skyhawks' schedule for the 2025-26 season is the annual NCAA Qualifier at Murray State Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.
Players Mentioned
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