University of Memphis Athletics
Gabriela Zych Sweeps Open and Junior National Titles at USA Shooting Championships
Jun 11, 2025 | Rifle
TALLADEGA, Ala. – University of Memphis rifle standout Gabriela Zych etched her name into program history on Wednesday, capturing two national titles at the 2025 USA Shooting National Rifle and Pistol Championship at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park. Zych became the first national champion in Memphis rifle program history, earning gold in both the Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Open Final and the Junior Final.
"That was a tough match to shoot especially outdoors," Zych said. "These past few months I've been training hard, trying to put myself under pressure and it feels great when things can come together on the line.
"I'm really, really happy with my performance over both days and proud that I fought for the outcome I wanted."
After two days of qualifying, Zych entered the finals with the sixth-best aggregate score of 1,161, securing a spot among the top eight shooters in both the Open and Junior divisions. The Open Final featured top female shooters from all age groups across the nation, while the Junior Final included shooters aged 21 and under.
In the Open Final, Zych outshot Cecelia Ossi (University of Alaska Fairbanks), who is a two-time NCAA Smallbore national champion with titles in 2023 and 2025, by just one-tenth of a point to win with a score of 454.3.
She followed that up with another historic performance, defeating West Virginia's Ashlyn Blake with an aggregate score of 449.0 to 448.9 to win the Junior Final. Zych's opening prone round of 52.8 was the highest single-round score of the entire junior final.
"I am so proud of Gabriela for winning women's smallbore at USA Shooting National Championships," said Memphis head coach Morgan Wilson. "She shot a great final and was very smart with the conditions and how she managed them. She had a rough start and bounced right back, climbing into first right at the end in standing. Gabriela has worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and today's win was very well deserved."
Zych's national title caps an exceptional 2024-25 season. She was recognized in the spring with her fifth career All-America honor by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA), earning Second-Team All-America in smallbore for the second-consecutive year. Additionally, she qualified as a smallbore alternate for the 2025 NCAA Rifle Championships, further highlighting her performance at the national level.
Zych's two national titles are a significant achievement for both her and the University of Memphis rifle program. Her performance sets a new benchmark and represents a major milestone as the program continues to build its reputation nationally.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Rifle, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"That was a tough match to shoot especially outdoors," Zych said. "These past few months I've been training hard, trying to put myself under pressure and it feels great when things can come together on the line.
"I'm really, really happy with my performance over both days and proud that I fought for the outcome I wanted."
After two days of qualifying, Zych entered the finals with the sixth-best aggregate score of 1,161, securing a spot among the top eight shooters in both the Open and Junior divisions. The Open Final featured top female shooters from all age groups across the nation, while the Junior Final included shooters aged 21 and under.
In the Open Final, Zych outshot Cecelia Ossi (University of Alaska Fairbanks), who is a two-time NCAA Smallbore national champion with titles in 2023 and 2025, by just one-tenth of a point to win with a score of 454.3.
She followed that up with another historic performance, defeating West Virginia's Ashlyn Blake with an aggregate score of 449.0 to 448.9 to win the Junior Final. Zych's opening prone round of 52.8 was the highest single-round score of the entire junior final.
"I am so proud of Gabriela for winning women's smallbore at USA Shooting National Championships," said Memphis head coach Morgan Wilson. "She shot a great final and was very smart with the conditions and how she managed them. She had a rough start and bounced right back, climbing into first right at the end in standing. Gabriela has worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and today's win was very well deserved."
Zych's national title caps an exceptional 2024-25 season. She was recognized in the spring with her fifth career All-America honor by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA), earning Second-Team All-America in smallbore for the second-consecutive year. Additionally, she qualified as a smallbore alternate for the 2025 NCAA Rifle Championships, further highlighting her performance at the national level.
Zych's two national titles are a significant achievement for both her and the University of Memphis rifle program. Her performance sets a new benchmark and represents a major milestone as the program continues to build its reputation nationally.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Rifle, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
/ Rifle
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Rifle Edition - October 25, 2023
Wednesday, October 25
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Rifle Edition - October 18, 2023
Wednesday, October 18
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Rifle 11/2/22
Wednesday, November 02
Rifle: Taylor Gibson Comes Back Stronger 3/11/21
Thursday, March 11