be JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State rifle team will open the 2023-2024 season on Friday in Murray, Kentucky, shooting against Ole Miss in a neutral setting at Murray State's Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.

Friday begins the Gamecocks' journey to a berth in the 2024 NCAA Rifle Championship in March after having individual representatives the last two seasons. Veteran head coach Ron Frost will have an experienced squad this season with majority of the team returning from last season, including Clark McWhorter, who earned an individual bid to the 2023 NCAA Rifle Championships in smallbore. Frost also added two new faces to the squad for this season.

Joining McWhorter this season will be sophomore Annie Iannotti, who was Jax State's top shooter throughout last season. Seniors Lars Lilleng and Kim Jettenberg will also be counted on to lead the Gamecocks. Joining Jax State as freshmen on the club are Frans Rasmusson from Ystad, Sweden and Debi Weiser, a native of Clemmons, North Carolina.

The 2023-24 schedule features five home matches, including the Gamecock Invitational that will conclude the fall portion of the schedule in November. The Gamecocks opened the season against Ole Miss in a match held at Murray State, followed by a visit to Memphis the following weekend. Jax State will host former Ohio Valley Conference rivals Morehead State on October 21 and UT Martin on November 17 before the annual Gamecock Invitational.

After the semester break, Jax State will host The Citadel in January before making another trip to Murray, Kentucky for the Withrow Invitational. The Gamecocks will visit Morehead, Kentucky and Oxford, Mississippi before returning home to host the NCAA Rifle Sectionals at the Gamecock Rifle Range inside Rowe Hall.

A live results link will be provided on JaxStateSports.com.