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Jonna Warnken has signed a national letter of intent to attend UTEP and compete with the Miner rifle team starting for the 2019-20 season, head coach Austin Litherland announced earlier this week.

UTEP head coach Austin Litherland talked about the addition of Warnken to an already strong squad.

“Jonna will be a great addition to the UTEP Rifle family. She is extremely competitive and has a great attitude. I also believe her match experience and her great attitude will be an asset to the team when we compete.”

A brief bio on Warnken  follows below.

Jonna Warnken – Superior HS – Superior, Mt.

Was sporter champion in the U14 age group in 2015, and placed seventh in the American Legion tournament … switched to precision shooting in 2016 … garnered runner-up honors in the 2017 NRA Precision Championship … shot just one point shy (560) of the state record in Montana … helped her team take third place at the 2017 Junior Olympic 3P Championships …

Received the junior distinguished badge at the event … took home the title in the 2018 Montana Junior Olympic Smallbore Qualifier … finished in second place at the 2018 CMP Regionals, which helped her squad grab second place at the event for the second straight year … boasts personal bests of 569 in smallbore and 588 in air rifle …

Very involved in 4H program and Honor Society … appreciates the mental side to the sport of rifle … loves mentoring and teaching younger shooters on how to improve … has helped run after-school programs with a local elementary school … plans to major in elementary education at UTEP.

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The UTEP rifle team will wrap up the fall part of its 2018-19 schedule when it plays host to Air Force at 8:30 a.m. MT Saturday. Admission to the match is free.

“Even though this is the last match of the semester, every shot still counts,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “Tomorrow the team’s focus will be to make every shot count. We are also very excited for the Air Force Academy to come down to compete at our home range.”

UTEP has surpassed 4600 in aggregate for three straight matches. It marks the fourth time that the Orange and Blue have done so in the fall portion of the schedule since the NCAA adopted its current scoring system for the 2004-05 campaign. The Miners also achieved that feat in the fall of 2016 (four straight), 2011 (seven in a row), 2010 (three consecutive).

The Orange and Blue have been consistent as a squad in air rifle (2316), while making tremendous strides in smallbore (2270 avg). The smallbore average would be the best at the school in three years (2273, 2015-16).

Furthermore, UTEP has posted back-to-back smallbore scores of at least 2284 for the first time since a three-match streak in 2011-12. Overall UTEP has topped 2284 in the discipline in three different outings, the most such efforts also since 2012-12 (eight).

With the progression of the squad, it is only natural that individuals have been making strides as well. The returnees have all improved their aggregate average from a year ago. Sophomore Samantha Miller has added 10 points (1125 to 1135), junior Mara Rouse (1137 to 1145) and sophomore Jessica Boyce (1144 to 1152) have both increased by eight points and senior Marana Nelson has tacked on two points (1136 to 1138).

Growth is also evident among the pair of newcomers. Freshman Morgahn Warner is averaging an aggregate of 1159 over the last four matches, a huge uptick from the first five (1135). Fellow classmate Josephine John is averaging 1132 the past three matches, a nice bump from her first four (1121).

For fans unable to make it to the match, there will be live stats available online.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The UTEP rifle team fired a season-high aggregate (4611) in a match at fellow Patriot Rifle Conference member Ohio State (4651) on Saturday.

The Miners shot a season-high tying 2284 in smallbore before also matching their campaign best in air rifle (2329).

“Today was an exciting day,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “The team showed the hard work they have put into the range the past two weeks. A coach cannot ask any more from their athletes than to put their maximum effort into their sport. The girls also know that we still have two more matches left until the fall semester is up so we will continue to work on improving at the range.”

Freshman Morgahn Warner produced an aggregate of 1160, registering 575 in smallbore and a career-high 585 in air rifle.

Junior Mara Rouse fired a career-high tying aggregate of 1156, relying on a personal-best 577 in smallbore and 579 in air rifle.

Sophomore Jessica Boyce notched an aggregate of 1149, using 563 in smallbore and 586 in air rifle.

Senior Maranda Nelson compiled an aggregate of 1143, recording 568 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller checked in with an aggregate of 1141, tallying 564 in smallbore and 577 in air rifle.

Freshman Josephine John shot a career-high aggregate of 1134, using a personal-best 562 in smallbore and 577 in air rifle.

The Miners will look to build on the effort when they return home against Alaska-Fairbanks at 8:30 a.m. MT Thursday at the UTEP rifle range. Admission is free.

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The UTEP rifle team will compete at fellow Patriot Rifle Conference member Ohio State in a match beginning at 11:30 a.m. MT (1 p.m. ET) Saturday.

The Miners are coming off a season-high aggregate (4602) in a two-day match at Nevada (Oct. 27-28). UTEP registered 2273 in smallbore before firing a campaign-best 2329 in air rifle.

“We are excited to compete against Ohio State,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “The team had a weekend off from competing to make improvements to their shot process and positions. Our focus has been staying in the zone and one 10 at a time.”

Sophomore Jessica Boyce has paced the team in the fall, producing the top average on the squad for smallbore (569), air rifle (583) and aggregate (1152). Junior Mara Rouse follows in aggregate (1144), but freshman Morgahn Warner has come on strong of late to lift her aggregate average to 1142.

Warner has established career highs in each of the past two matches, with the most-recent performance (1165) serving as the top aggregate on the season for any Miner.

Senior Maranda Nelson checks in with an average aggregate of 1138, including a season and career-best 1161. That was achieved on Oct. 13, in a tri-angular meet with Air Force and Nevada.

Sophomore Samantha Miller has posted back-to-back career efforts, including an 1152 at Nevada (Oct. 27-28). The push has propelled her aggregate average to 1134. Freshman Josephine John has an aggregate average of 1122, aided by a career-high tying 1128 at Nevada (Oct. 27-28).

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RENO, Nv. – The UTEP rifle team fired a season-high aggregate of 4602 in a match that spanned two days with Nevada (4662). The Miners registered 2273 in smallbore on Saturday before notching a campaign-best 2329 in air rifle Sunday.

Freshman Morgahn Warner was locked in across the board. She finished with a personal-best aggregate of 1165, aided by career highs in both smallbore (581) and air rifle (584). Additionally, the scores in smallbore and aggregate are the best by any Miner this year.

Sophomore Jessica Boyce posted an aggregate of 1153, carding 569 in smallbore and 584 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller made it a memorable match. She recorded a career-best aggregate of 1152, including a campaign-high tying 565 in smallbore and a personal-best 587 in air rifle.

Senior Maranda Nelson produced an aggregate of 1141, tallying 558 in smallbore and 583 in air rifle.

Junior Mara Rouse turned in an aggregate of 1131, accumulating 556 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle.

Freshman Josephine John concluded with an aggregate of 1128, scoring 553 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle.

UTEP will vie to continue to progress as a unit when it competes at Ohio State on Nov. 10.

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Freshman Morgahn Warner (1152) and sophomore Samantha Miller (1141) each set career highs in aggregate during a solid day on the range for the UTEP rifle team (4583) in a home match with Nevada (4647) on Saturday.

The Miners shot 2268 in smallbore and 2315 in air rifle to wrap up the day with an aggregate eight points better than their seasonal average coming into the contest.

“A coach can’t ask for anything more than give it your best,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “The team came in and showed what they are capable of. They are leaving today more motivated to keep breaking their personal best.”

Warner had herself a day to remember. She turned in a career-best aggregate of 1152, aided by personal highs in both smallbore (572) and air rifle (580).

Sophomore Jessica Boyce fired an aggregate of 1147, tallying a personal-best tying 573 in smallbore and 574 in air rifle.

Junior Mara Rouse produced an aggregate of 1144, registering 560 in smallbore and a season-high tying 584 in air rifle.

Miller carded a career-high aggregate (1141), posting her second-best score (563) of the season in smallbore and a campaign-best 578 in air rifle.

Senior Maranda Nelson compiled an aggregate of 1129, notching 559 in smallbore and 570 in air rifle.

Freshman Josephine John finished with an aggregate of 1110, shooting 531 in smallbore and a career-high 579 in air rifle.

UTEP will look to build on the performance when it ventures to Nevada. The Miners will shoot twice in as many days, competing on both Oct.ober 27 and 28.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Co. – The UTEP rifle team (4561) was dispatched at Air Force (4714) on Sunday. The Miners registered a score of 2246 in smallbore but regained their form in air rifle (2315).

“A two-day competition can be mentally draining to any athlete,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said “Today showed that mental fatigue. This week we will work on gaining that fortitude before our next match this upcoming weekend.”

Junior Mara Rouse paced the squad with an aggregate of 1142, which was helped by firing a season-high 584 in air rifle. Sophomore Jessica Boyce followed with an aggregate of 1141, using a 562 in smallbore and 579 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller made the most of the match, establishing season highs in smallbore (560), air rifle (577) and aggregate (1137). Senior Maranda Nelson finished with an aggregate of 1132, compiling 557 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle.

Freshman Morgahn Warner recorded an aggregate of 1132, turning in identical marks of 566 in both smallbore and air rifle. Fellow classmate Josephine John competed only in air rifle, producing her second-highest score (575) of her career.

UTEP will have a quick turnaround as it returns to action at home against Nevada at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Admission to the match is free.

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Co. – The UTEP rifle team shot a season-high 4594, including a campaign-best 2324 in air rifle, to knock off Nevada (4589) in a tri-angular meet at Air Force (4702) on Saturday. UTEP compiled 2270 in smallbore before finding another gear in air rifle.

“The score today is what we like to see,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said “It is the direction we have been working toward. The team has even more hunger for the range tomorrow, knowing what they did today. The strategy now is keeping that focus and drive.”

Senior Maranda Nelson paced the unit with a career-high aggregate of 1161 (prior high 1152). She matched her personal best in air rifle (588) and shot a campaign high in smallbore (573).

Sophomore Jessica Boyce registered an aggregate of 1157, producing 571 in smallbore and 583 in air rifle. Freshman Morgahn Warner fired a career-high aggregate (1144), scoring 565 in smallbore and a personal-best 579 in air rifle. Junior Mara Rouse recorded an aggregate of 1139, tallying 561 in smallbore and 578 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller finished with an aggregate of 1132, posting 557 in smallbore and 575 in air rifle. Freshman Josephine John competed exclusively in air rifle, checking in with 562.

UTEP will wrap up the weekend of competition when it shares the range at Air Force at 8 a.m. Sunday.

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The UTEP rifle team will open its range to fellow Miner student-athletes, members of the UTEP Athletic Department, students and fans on Tuesday (October 9).

The event will take place at the UTEP rifle range, located inside the Military Science Building.  Participants will receive a UTEP rifle shirt (while supplies last).

This is the fourth time that UTEP rifle has held this event to honor “10.9 day,” to bring awareness to the sport where 10.9 is the highest mark on a single shot a shooter can achieve during a match. USA Shooting has declared Oct.9 (10/9) a holiday for rifle teams around the country.

Individuals who are interested in following along the celebration can follow the @uteprifle page on Twitter and Instagram.

Participants are also encouraged to take pictures of the event and share on the UTEP Rifle Facebook Page with the #Ten9Day.

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The UTEP rifle team wrapped up its two-match homestand by recording an aggregate of 4547 against Ohio State (4653) at the UTEP rifle range on Sunday.

The Miners shot 2247 in smalbore before picking things up a bit to finish at 2300 in air rifle.

“This weekend was a learning experience for the team,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland. “Scores don’t always sync up to where you’re wanting them to go. We will go back to the range with a new mindset and work harder than ever to accomplish the goal we all have set.”

Sophomore Jessica Boyce led the Miners by registering an aggregate of 1150. She shot 566 in smallbore while posting 584 in air rifle.

Mara Rouse recorded an aggregate of 1139. She compiled 566 in smallbore and 573 in air rifle.

Senior Maranda Nelson finished with an aggregate of 1130, tallying 559 in smallbore and 571 in air rifle.

Freshman Morgahn Warner contributed an aggregate of 1128, notching 556 in smallbore and 572 in air rifle. Fellow classmate Josephine John checked in with an aggregate of 1121. She posted 555 in smallbore and 566 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller checked in with an aggregate of 1119. She produced 550 in smallbore and 569 in air rifle.

UTEP will return to action when it competes at Nevada on October 13.

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The UTEP rifle team registered an aggregate of 4583, aided by a season-high 2284 in smallbore, in a match-up with Ohio State (4661) at the UTEP rifle range Saturday.

The effort in smallbore is 13 points higher than the Miners’ score in the discipline in the campaign lidlifter.

Sophomore Jessica Boyce paced the squad with her second-best aggregate (1160) of her career. She matched her personal high (573) in smallbore while posting her second-best tally (587) in air rifle.

Mara Rouse posted the second-highest aggregate (1153) of her career. She tied her second-best score (573) in smallbore before adding 580 in air rifle.

Senior Maranda Nelson matched the second-best smallbore score (567) of her career. She followed that up with a campaign-high 579 in air rifle to conclude the match with an aggregate of 1146.

Freshman Morgahn Warner registered an aggregate of 1133, which was helped by a career-best 571 in smallbore. She recorded 562 in air rifle.

Freshman Josephine John turned in an aggregate of 1125, including a personal-high 556 in smallbore. She wrapped up the match with 569 in air rifle.

Sophomore Samantha Miller finished with an aggregate of 1122. She shot 559 in smallbore and 563 in air rifle.

UTEP will be back on the range against the Buckeyes at 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday. Admission is free. For individuals unable to make it out to the range, there will be live stats of all lanes shooting available online.

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The UTEP rifle team will share the range with fellow Patriot Rifle Conference member Ohio State in a pair of matches (Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. MT) at the UTEP Rifle Range this weekend.

This weekend’s action will be the first for the Miners in El Paso on the season. Admission is free.

“This week’s focus has been on perfecting what we did last week’s match,” UTEP head coach Austin Litherland said. “Small things like shot process, mental toughness, or even trigger control can make a world of difference on the line. I also know the team is excited to host Ohio State.”

The Miners shot their best season-opening aggregate (4589) in seven years at TCU on Sept. 23. UTEP posted 2271 in smallbore and 2318 in air rifle. Overall it marked the third-highest score in a campaign lidlifter by the by Miners since the current scoring system was put into place for the 2004-05 season.

UTEP produced an aggregate of 4600 against Columbus State and Nevada on Sept. 24, 2011, while previously tallying a readout of 4597 at Alaska-Fairbanks on Sept. 26, 2008.

Overall the Orange and Blue will have eight home matches in 2018-19, with Nevada (Oct. 20, Feb. 16), Alaska-Fairbanks (Nov. 15, Feb. 16), Air Force (Nov. 17), TCU (Jan. 26) also making the trip to the Sun City.

For individuals unable to make it out to the range, there will be live stats of all lanes shooting available online.

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FT. WORTH – The UTEP rifle team registered its best season-opening aggregate (4589) in seven years in a setback at TCU (4708) on Sunday. The Miners finished with 2271 in smallbore and 2318 in air rifle in head coach Austin Litherland’s debut with the Orange and Blue.

Overall it marks the third-highest score in a campaign lidlifter by the by Miners since the current scoring system came into place for the 2004-04 season. UTEP fired an aggregate of 4600 against Columbus State and Nevada on Sept. 24, 2011, while previously tallying a readout of 4597 at Alaska-Fairbanks on Sept. 26, 2008.

“Today’s score was definitely a team effort overall,” Litherland said. “They showed me tremendous progress. In this sport we ask for perfection, and we learned today what we need to adjust to advance towards that perfection.”

Sophomore Jessica Boyce enjoyed a career day across the board to lead the way for the Miners. She established personal highs in smallbore (573), air rifle (589) and aggregate (1162). Boyce’s aggregate marked the fifth-highest total by any shooter on the range Sunday.

Junior Mara Rouse followed with an aggregate of 1146, posting 567 in smallbore and 579 in air rifle. Freshman Morgahn Warner checked in with 566 in smallbore and 573 in air rifle to conclude with an aggregate of 1139. Sophomore Samantha Miller registered her second-highest aggregate (1138) of her career. She finished with a total of 565 in smallbore and 573 in air rifle. Freshman Josephine John fired a 551 in smallbore while posting a readout of 577 in air rifle.

The Miners will be back in action when they play host to Ohio State in their home opener at 8:30 a.m. MT Saturday. UTEP and the Buckeyes will also share the range starting at 8:30 a.m. MT Sunday, Sept. 30.

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The UTEP rifle team will begin its 2018-19 season when it competes at TCU Sunday. It is the first of 13 matches (including tri-angular meets) on the fall portion of the slate, while also marking the start of the Austin Litherland era.

The Miners feature a seven-member squad, with four returnees (Jessica Boyce-sophomore, Samantha Miller-sophomore, Maranda Nelson-senior and Mara Rouse-junior) and a trio of freshmen (Josephine John, Morgahn Warner and Jennie Windle).

“I’ve pushed these girls for the last three weeks,” Litherland said. “They have shown me how hard workers they are and how dedicated they are. I’ve seen improvements to their scores, and the team dynamic is really good. We’re excited to go shoot against TCU this weekend.”

Boyce shot both disciplines in all 12 matches for the Miners last year, ranking second on the team in average for air rifle (581) while sharing second in aggregate (1144). Miller posted averages of 553 in smallbore and 572 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 1125 as a freshman.

Nelson tied for third on the team in air rifle average (576) in 2017-18 while Rouse rated third on the unit in average for both smallbore (565) and aggregate (1149).

John placed eighth nationally at the 2017 Junior Olympics in Camp Perry, Ohio. Warner has competed regionally and nationally in USA shooting, NRA and CMP competitions and helped her squad take first place at the 2018 Washington State Outdoor Smallbore Championships. Windle began shooting competitively in high school, and helped her high school team qualify for Army Nationals in Anniston, Alabama, for three consecutive campaigns.

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The UTEP rifle team will host its final match of the season when it faces Nevada in its 2018 NCAA Qualifier match at the UTEP Rifle Range Saturday. The UTEP Rifle Range is located inside the Military Science Building. Admission is free.

The match begins with smallbore starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by air rifle at 11:15 a.m. Additionally as part of UTEP’s celebration of Nationals Girls and Women In Sports Day there will be the annual brunch with the UTEP rifle team at 11 a.m. on the range.

The NCAA Qualifier match is the final deciding factor for which eight teams will head to the 2018 NCAA Rifle Championships hosted by The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., from March 9-10. The youth-laden UTEP team is currently ranked 20th. For squads that do not receive a championship bit, it is an opportunity for student-athletes to qualify individually for the smallbore and air rifle events.

“The NCAA Qualifier is a tough match as most of our athletes have waited all season for this match in particular,” UTEP head coach Hannah Muegge said. “In order to get that individual nomination for championships, you have to be at the top of your game so this weekend’s test will be about overcoming that anticipation and self-imposed pressure.”

Highlighting the Miners will be sophomore Bailey Powell, who will compete after battling an illness during the 2018 Patriot Rifle Conference Championships. She paces the Miners in seasonal averages for smallbore (572), air rifle (588) and aggregate (1160). Powell has produced the top aggregate score in eight of her nine matches this year.

Freshman Jessica Boyce enters this weekend with momentum, having led the Orange and Blue in both air rifle (587) and aggregate (1153) at the league championships. The effort in air rifle established a career high while she was one point back of matching her personal-best aggregate.

Sophomore Abby Monique has averaged an aggregate of 1143 this season. She has shot team-highs in smallbore the past two matches and her smallbore average (567) trails only Powell.

Junior Maranda Nelson has set her career highs for smallbore (575), air rifle (588) and aggregate (1152) this season. Overall she has recorded an aggregate average of 1137.

Sophomore Mara Rouse has an aggregate average of 1135 this year, but she fired a season-high 1149 in a triangular at Air Force and vs. Alaska Fairbanks on Feb. 2.

Freshman Samantha Miller is also rounding into form, having fired a personal-best 579 in air rifle last time out at the Patriot Rifle Championships. For the year she has an average aggregate of 1125, aided by a campaign-high 1140 vs. UT-Martin on Oct. 21, 2017.

“This season we may not have finished quite where we had liked to in the rankings however this team has gained valuable experience and made tremendous progress throughout the year,” Muegge said. “We’re a young team and anytime you have a young team there is going to be a learning curve.”

Overall as a team the Miners produced their highest aggregate (4626-vs. UT-Martin-10/21/17) at the school since the 2011-12 campaign. The score of 2309 in smalbore that day tied for eighth all-time at UTEP.

“We’ve made it to the final stretch of our season and the team has their sights set to finish on a high note,” Muegge said. “I’m very proud of the individual successes that we’ve had on the range this season. I cannot begin to express how impressed I am by this team’s match-day demeanor and the hard work they have put in both on the range and in the classroom. Regardless of outcome this weekend, it’s going to be a good match.”

Live results will be available on match day at http://results.megalink.no/#/univ–texas-el-paso

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