marqzy

         Zych Earns CRCA All-America Honors: A Star Shines at University of Memphis Athletics

The University of Memphis Athletics program has long been a breeding ground for exceptional talent, and Gabriela Zych is the latest standout to make waves. In 2025, Zych, a junior on the Memphis Tigers Rifle team, earned her fifth career  CRCA All-America Honors , cementing her status as one of the most accomplished athletes in the program’s history. This recognition from the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) highlights her brilliance in  smallbore  and  air rifle  competitions, showcasing her as a key figure in the *NCAA Rifle Championships  and beyond. For fans of the   Memphis Tigers Rifle  and sports enthusiasts alike, Zych’s journey is a testament to dedication, skill, and academic excellence.

    A Breakout Season for Gabriela Zych

Gabriela Zych’s 2024-25 season has been nothing short of spectacular. On February 28, 2025, the  University of Memphis Athletics  announced that Zych earned Second-Team  CRCA All-America Honors  in  smallbore  for the second consecutive year. This accolade adds to her already impressive resume, which includes First-Team All-America recognition in  air rifle  and Second-Team honors in both  smallbore  and aggregate during the 2023-24 season. Her consistency and precision have made her a cornerstone of the  Memphis Tigers Rifle  team under the leadership of head coach  Morgan Phillips .

Zych’s stats speak for themselves. This season, she led the Tigers with averages of 586.0 in  smallbore , 594.62 in  air rifle , and an aggregate score of 1,180.62. These numbers reflect her dominance in both disciplines, narrowly missing her own school records by a single point. With eight top-3 finishes in aggregate, including two wins, and multiple victories in  smallbore  and  air rifle , Zych has proven she’s a force to be reckoned with. Her qualification as a  smallbore  alternate for the *NCAA Rifle Championships* further underscores her elite status.

    The Road to CRCA All-America Honors

Earning  CRCA All-America Honors  is no small feat. The Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association recognizes the top performers across the nation, and Zych’s repeated inclusion on this prestigious list reflects her exceptional talent. Her journey began as a freshman in 2022-23, when she earned Honorable-Mention All-America honors in  air rifle . The following year, she exploded onto the scene with a trio of distinctions: First-Team in  air rifle , and Second-Team in  smallbore  and aggregate. Now, in her junior year, her fifth honor solidifies her as a perennial contender.

What sets Zych apart isn’t just her marksmanship—it’s her ability to perform under pressure. At the 2024  NCAA Rifle Championships , she placed 10th in  smallbore  with a score of 586 and 21st in  air rifle  with a total of 593. These results, coupled with her leadership on the  Memphis Tigers Rifle team, demonstrate why the  CRCA All-America Honors  are a fitting recognition of her skill.

   A Multi-Faceted Star: Elite 90 Award Winner

While Zych’s athletic achievements are remarkable, her academic prowess is equally inspiring. At the 2024  NCAA Rifle Championships , she made history as the first  University of Memphis Athletics student-athlete—across any sport—to receive the  Elite 90 Award . This prestigious honor, presented by the NCAA, celebrates the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at their championship finals site. For Zych, it’s a reflection of her ability to balance the rigors of competitive rifle with academic excellence.

Head coach  Morgan Phillips  praised Zych’s dual success, noting, “Gabriela had a great couple of days [at the NCAA Championships]. 

     All-GARC Honors and Team Contributions

Zych’s individual accolades don’t tell the whole story—she’s also a vital part of the  Memphis Tigers Rifle  team’s success. In 2025, she earned honorable mention  All-GARC Honors  in  smallbore , *air rifle*, and aggregate, as announced by the Great American Rifle Conference (GARC). This recognition came alongside teammates like Katrina Demerle (*smallbore*), Kenlee Ewton (*air rifle*), and Sophia Cruz (Scholar-Athlete of the Year), showcasing the team’s depth.

Under Phillips’ leadership, the Tigers have climbed the ranks, entering the GARC Championship as the No. 10 team in the *CRCA* poll. With wins over ranked opponents like No. 13 Army and No. 15 Jacksonville State, the *University of Memphis Athletics* rifle program is establishing itself as a national contender. Zych’s contributions, both in competition and as a leader, have been instrumental in this rise.

     The Making of a Champion: Zych’s Background

Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, Gabriela Zych brought a wealth of potential to the  University of Memphis Athletics  when she joined the rifle team. Her sophomore season in 2023-24 marked a turning point, as she set program records in *smallbore* (593) and aggregate (1189) during the NCAA Qualifier and tied the school’s *air rifle* mark (598). These performances earned her First-Team *All-GARC Honors* in all three categories—a feat accomplished by only two other athletes in the conference that year.

Zych’s ability to compete at the highest level extends beyond college. In 2023, she won a bronze medal in the *air rifle* final at part one of the 2024 Rifle Olympic Trials, posting a personal-best qualifying score of 1251.8. This achievement highlights her potential to represent the United States on the global stage, further elevating the profile of the *Memphis Tigers Rifle* program.

     Morgan Phillips: The Coach Behind the Success

No discussion of Zych’s success is complete without mentioning *Morgan Phillips*, the head coach of the *Memphis Tigers Rifle*. Now in her third season, Phillips has transformed the program into a powerhouse. A former All-American shooter at West Virginia University, Phillips brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. In 2022-23, she was named *CRCA* Head Coach of the Year and GARC Coach of the Year, accolades that reflect her ability to develop talent like Zych.

Phillips’ impact is evident in the team’s rankings and victories. The Tigers have defeated top-10 teams like No. 7 Ohio State and No. 7 Ole Miss, and Zych’s individual success is a direct result of Phillips’ coaching philosophy. “Gabriela shot incredible,” Phillips said after Zych’s Olympic Trials performance. “

       What’s Next for Gabriela Zych and the Memphis Tigers?

As the *Memphis Tigers Rifle* prepare for the GARC Championship on March 1-2, 2025, all eyes are on Zych. Her status as a *smallbore* alternate for the *NCAA Rifle Championships* means she could once again compete on the national stage. Fans of *University of Memphis Athletics* can follow the team’s progress on GoTigersGo.com and social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

For Zych, the journey is far from over. With two years of eligibility remaining, she has the chance to add more *CRCA All-America Honors* and *All-GARC Honors* to her collection. Her combination of athletic talent and academic excellence—exemplified by the *Elite 90 Award*—makes her a role model for aspiring student-athletes. Whether she’s aiming for NCAA titles or Olympic glory, Zych is poised to leave a lasting legacy at Memphis.

     Conclusion: A Rising Star in Rifle and Beyond

Gabriela Zych’s latest  CRCA All-America Honors  are a milestone in an already illustrious career. From her record-breaking performances to her historic *Elite 90 Award*, she embodies the spirit of *University of Memphis Athletics*. As the *Memphis Tigers Rifle* team continues to rise under *Morgan Phillips*, Zych remains at the forefront, inspiring fans and teammates alike. For those passionate about rifle sports, NCAA competition, or Memphis Tigers pride, Zych’s story is one to watch—because this is only the beginning.