Bulldogs Set to Open 2026-27 Rifle Season
10/9/2026 1:00:00 PM | Mixed Rifle
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Citadel rifle team opens the 2026-27 season Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Bulldogs welcome Georgia Southern to the Inouye Marksmanship Center.
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Both the mixed rifle and women's teams will compete against the Eagles.
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Head coach Claire O'Neel returns an experienced group featuring seven returners and two freshmen. Seniors Emma Goldman, Meghan Mix, and Michael Legens provide veteran leadership, while juniors Braden Michalak, Ella Derrick, and Theron Hull-Walton return for their third season with the program.
Sophomore Ava Starosky also returns after competing throughout her freshman campaign. The Bulldogs also welcome freshmen Diana Leppert and Josh Prince to the roster.
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Michalak headlines the squad after a strong 2025-26 season; Michalak earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors in air rifle and finished eighth overall at the SoCon Championships with a combined score of 1,165.
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Derrick returns as one of the women's top performers. Derrick led the women's squad in smallbore at the SoCon Championships with a 567 before adding a 583 in air rifle. She also posted a 591 in air rifle against Navy and Georgia Southern late in the season.
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Up Next
The Citadel travels to Lexington, Va., for a match against VMI on Oct. 24.
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Both the mixed rifle and women's teams will compete against the Eagles.
Â
Head coach Claire O'Neel returns an experienced group featuring seven returners and two freshmen. Seniors Emma Goldman, Meghan Mix, and Michael Legens provide veteran leadership, while juniors Braden Michalak, Ella Derrick, and Theron Hull-Walton return for their third season with the program.
Sophomore Ava Starosky also returns after competing throughout her freshman campaign. The Bulldogs also welcome freshmen Diana Leppert and Josh Prince to the roster.
Â
Michalak headlines the squad after a strong 2025-26 season; Michalak earned second-team All-Southern Conference honors in air rifle and finished eighth overall at the SoCon Championships with a combined score of 1,165.
Â
Derrick returns as one of the women's top performers. Derrick led the women's squad in smallbore at the SoCon Championships with a 567 before adding a 583 in air rifle. She also posted a 591 in air rifle against Navy and Georgia Southern late in the season.
Â
Up Next
The Citadel travels to Lexington, Va., for a match against VMI on Oct. 24.
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Players Mentioned
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
/ Mixed Rifle
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