Feb. 22, 2012

GARC Central | Promotional Video  

OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss rifle team will host the Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) Championships for the eighth-straight year this weekend (Feb. 24-26) at the Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center.

"It's a lot of work that we put into it," Rebel head coach Valerie Boothe said of hosting the GARC Championships. "But it should go really smoothly and I'm looking forward to a good weekend."

The GARC includes some of the top rifle programs in the country, including defending national champion Kentucky. The other teams represented are Army, Memphis, Nebraska, NC State and West Virginia.

"This is a much more exciting match for us, because there are a lot of spectators and six other teams we're competing against," senior Keely Stankey said. "It's a really big match with a lot of people, and I think that makes it a lot more exciting. I look forward to this match every year."

This weekend will also mark the final time Stankey will be shooting at the Patricia C. Lamar National Guard Readiness Center. The only senior on this year's Rebels roster, the Minneapolis native has been the top performer for Ole Miss a majority of her four-year career.

"She has made an impact on this program from day one," Boothe said. "Since she stepped on campus she has changed the face of Ole Miss rifle. She has helped out our recruiting and been a key player for the last four years. I know this is her last home match, but I know she's going to savior it and I know she will put forth every ounce that she can, and leave it all on the range, and I know she'll be pleased with her performance when she's finished."

Stankey downplays what she's accomplished during her career and said she is preparing for the weekend just like she would for any other match.

"I'm just going to try and enjoy every moment of it," Stankey said of the weekend. "I think all of the pressure is behind us now that qualifiers are over, so I'm not going to worry or stress about it, and just try to make the most out of this last match. I will definitely be sad and miss it, but I'm not going to be emotional when I'm on the line or anything like that."

The Rebels fared well during their most recent home match Feb. 1 versus Memphis. On that day, Stankey, junior Kim Coffey and sophomore Melissa Quartarone each fired over 590 in air to help the Rebels set an air rifle school record of 2365.

Admission to the facility located on Sisk Ave. off Hwy. 7 is free and live scoring will be available on OleMissSports.com's GARC Central.