Rifle records go down in flames thanks to two freshman additions
The women’s rifle team will attempt to break more records as it competes in a doubleheader this weekend.
By Danny Gillham
Sports Editor

The TCU rifle team is riding high after its first meet three weeks ago in Reno, Nev. While most teams use their first meet to feel out what they have, the Frogs broke school records.

Freshman Celeste Green set a school record with the air rifle by shooting enough targets to score an individual round of 387, breaking the record of her sister and teammate, senior Jessica Green. The team score was also broken, with the Frogs shooting for 1,518 points (the previous record was 1,465).

Now the team faces a difficult task with a doubleheader this weekend. After competing in one meet in Oxford, Miss., the Frogs will then travel to Memphis, Tenn. to take on the Tigers.

Head coach Roger Ivy said he scheduled this match in anticipation that he would sign Celeste Green and fellow freshman Sherri Gallagher.

“The main reason I did this weekend ... is because it’s a test,” Ivy said. “I had a real good feeling that if we signed those two girls, that we had a good shot to win, if not team, at least individual in both events.”

Jessica Green said that the long day will be draining, but will have long-term benefits for the team.

“I think it’s gonna help us,” Green said. “Really, a lot of shooting is endurance — mentally and physically. It’s tough because we are going to be driving an hour between the matches, and each of us carries about 100 pounds of gear.

“It’s going to be a tiring day, but overall, it’s going to strengthen us in the long run. When we get to sectional (meet) in the spring, we’ll feel like we are ready for that.”

Senior Stacy Hughes said she is confident of success, even though two meets in one day is something the team is not used to.

“We’ve never had two meets in one day, so it will definitely be different for us,” Hughes said. “The meets are long and they’ll tire us out, but we’ll do good.”

With the two new members on the team, Ivy could be satisfied with the performance after the first meet. However, he said that he expects even higher scores on Saturday.

“I expect those two records will go down again,” Ivy said. “I expect the team record to go down in flames, maybe almost as much as it did last time. I think the individual record will too, and right now I can’t tell you who is gonna do it.”