Murray State University Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Lexington, KY
9 a.m.
Murray State
at
Kentucky
Racers Open 2026-27 Season in Lexington
10/9/2026 10:20:00 AM | Rifle
Murray State will open its 2026-27 season Saturday, traveling to Lexington, Ky., to take on Kentucky University at 9 a.m. CT.
The Racers enter their 72nd season of competition following a 2025-26 campaign that was highlighted by their sixth consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship and 20th conference title in program history. Murray State finished the season with an 8-3 record and sent three individuals to the NCAA Rifle Championships.
Head coach Alan Lollar enters his 21st season at the helm of the Racers with a strong group of returners led by junior Carlotta Salafia and sophomore Lea Soulé. Salafia was named the 2026 OVC Air Rifle Athlete of the Year, while Soulé earned OVC Smallbore Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.
The Navy and Gold also return seniors Emma Lawrence and Caroline Martin, who joined Salafia and Soulé on the All-OVC Air Rifle First Team last season. Martin, Salafia and Soulé represented Murray State at the 2026 NCAA Rifle Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Murray State's returning talent is joined by freshmen Anceline Brackman and Ashley Haymond. Brackman, a native of Lambersart, France, brings international shooting experience to the Racers. However, Brackman and Salafia will not compete in Saturday's season opener as they represent their respective countries at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Salafia is competing in the mixed team air rifle, individual air rifle and individual smallbore events, while Brackman is competing in individual air rifle and smallbore.
Saturday's matchup marks the second consecutive season Murray State has traveled to Lexington to face Kentucky. The Wildcats defeated the Racers 4750-4710 (tel:4750-4710) in their previous meeting on Nov. 22, 2025.
Murray State is ranked ninth in the CRCA preseason polls.
Full results will be available at http://ncaarifle.org
The Racers enter their 72nd season of competition following a 2025-26 campaign that was highlighted by their sixth consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championship and 20th conference title in program history. Murray State finished the season with an 8-3 record and sent three individuals to the NCAA Rifle Championships.
Head coach Alan Lollar enters his 21st season at the helm of the Racers with a strong group of returners led by junior Carlotta Salafia and sophomore Lea Soulé. Salafia was named the 2026 OVC Air Rifle Athlete of the Year, while Soulé earned OVC Smallbore Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors.
The Navy and Gold also return seniors Emma Lawrence and Caroline Martin, who joined Salafia and Soulé on the All-OVC Air Rifle First Team last season. Martin, Salafia and Soulé represented Murray State at the 2026 NCAA Rifle Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
Murray State's returning talent is joined by freshmen Anceline Brackman and Ashley Haymond. Brackman, a native of Lambersart, France, brings international shooting experience to the Racers. However, Brackman and Salafia will not compete in Saturday's season opener as they represent their respective countries at the ISSF World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. Salafia is competing in the mixed team air rifle, individual air rifle and individual smallbore events, while Brackman is competing in individual air rifle and smallbore.
Saturday's matchup marks the second consecutive season Murray State has traveled to Lexington to face Kentucky. The Wildcats defeated the Racers 4750-4710 (tel:4750-4710) in their previous meeting on Nov. 22, 2025.
Murray State is ranked ninth in the CRCA preseason polls.
Full results will be available at http://ncaarifle.org
Players Mentioned
/ Rifle
/ Rifle
/ Rifle
/ Rifle
/ Rifle
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