Rifle student-athlete in top 25 nationally in two Junior Olympics events
Article By: Clark Leonard
Three University of North Georgia (UNG) rifle team student-athletes competed in April at the National Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Sophomore Ricky Medina from Kennesaw, Georgia, finished 23rd out of 172 in the men's 10-meter air rifle event with a score of 1,217.9 and 24th out of 61 in the men's meter three-position rifle with a 2,259.
"It was great and exciting and humbling being able to go out there and shoot with some of the other best shooters in the nation," Medina said.
Medina has qualified three years in a row for Junior Olympics, and it is his second time to attend.
Arica Hayes, a sophomore from Dahlonega, Georgia, and Veronica Stanley, a freshman from Stockbridge, Georgia, were among the 202 women's 10-meter air rifle competitors.
"I am very proud of all of our athletes who qualified for this prestigious event. Nearly 1,000 males and 1,000 females tried to qualify, and only 172 males and 202 females were selected to compete," UNG rifle team head coach Tori Kostecki said. "I am especially proud of Ricky."
Cantrell to retire at end of 2025 season
UNG head baseball coach Tom Cantrell has announced he will retire at the end of his 26th season leading the program. He has 857 career wins at North Georgia.
Spring teams aim to build on momentum
UNG's spring sports teams are seeking to build on a pair of historically deep postseason runs with every team capable of high-level results.
Record 48 students earn travel grants
UNG's Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities awarded a fall-semester-record 48 travel grants to support students presenting their research at conferences.
Nighthawks wrap up season in Sweet 16
The UNG women's soccer team fell 2-0 to Columbus State University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship Dec. 1.