VMI Rifle Team Achieves Strong Showing at SoCon Championships, Sar Earns Freshman of the Year
STATESBORO, Ga. – The VMI rifle team concluded a successful run at the Southern Conference Championships in Statesboro, with freshman Soraya Sar earning the prestigious SoCon Freshman of the Year award. The team demonstrated notable improvements and competitive spirit throughout the championship.
Mixed Team Performance
The VMI Mixed Team showcased a strong performance in the air rifle event, securing third place with a score of 2,330. The team finished fourth overall with an aggregate score of 4,563. The Women’s Team finished seventh in the air rifle and fifth overall with a score of 4,560.
Individual Highlights
Soraya Sar’s exceptional performance earned her the SoCon Freshman of the Year title. In the smallbore individual finals, Sar finished sixth with a score of 403.6. Alexander Pohlman achieved a score of 587 in the air rifle, propelling him to eighth place overall with a total of 1162. Darien Tweedell (585) and Wuyue Xie (582) finished 13th and 16th, respectively. Xie’s aggregate score of 1156 was the second-best for VMI.
Championship Results and Trends
Georgia Southern claimed its fifth consecutive SoCon Championship title, setting a new championship record with a score of 4,727. North Georgia followed in second place with 4,658, and UAB secured third with 4,601. While VMI’s men’s and women’s teams maintained a 4-5 finish for the second year in a row, they demonstrated significant progress, increasing their aggregate scores by 22 and 58 points, respectively.
SoCon Championship Scores
- Mixed Team Aggregate: 4. VMI – 4,563
- Women’s Team Aggregate: 5. VMI – 4,560
- Mixed Team Air Rifle: 3. VMI – 2,330
- Women’s Team Air Rifle: 7. VMI – 2,307
- Women’s Team Smallbore: 4. VMI – 2,253
Looking Ahead: The Rise of Collegiate Rifle Programs
The Southern Conference Rifle Championships highlight the growing competitiveness and dedication within collegiate rifle programs. The consistent success of programs like Georgia Southern demonstrates a commitment to excellence and investment in the sport. The improvements shown by VMI, with increased aggregate scores, suggest a positive trajectory for the team and a growing interest in rifle shooting at the university.
The increasing recognition of freshman talent, as exemplified by Soraya Sar’s award, indicates a strong influx of skilled athletes into the sport. This trend is likely to continue as rifle programs expand their recruitment efforts and offer more opportunities for young shooters to develop their skills.
FAQ
- Who won the 2026 SoCon Rifle Championship? Georgia Southern claimed the title.
- Who was named SoCon Freshman of the Year? Soraya Sar of VMI.
- What was VMI’s Mixed Team’s highest finish? Third place in the Air Rifle event.
Pro Tip: Consistent practice and a focus on fundamentals are key to success in rifle shooting. Developing a strong mental game is also crucial for maintaining focus and composure under pressure.
Stay updated on VMI Rifle team news and results by visiting the official VMI Athletics website.
