This spring, numerous Murray State athletic teams have accomplished feats they dreamed of all offseason. We’ve experienced championships, upsets and even a few crushing defeats. With this being said, here is a season recap for each spring sport at Murray State this semester.
Rifle
The Murray State rifle team brought home a fourth place finish in the NCAA Championship this team out of a field of eight competitors. Prior to their trip to the NCAA Championship, the Racers captured their fourth-consecutive OVC Championship and 14th in school history behind a strong performance by Senior Barbara Schläpfer, who shot a match-high 590. Adding to a loaded career of accomplishments, Schläpfer was named the OVC’s smallbore and air rifle Athlete of the Year as well. Despite graduating four seniors this season, Head Coach John Lollar will look to continue the team’s success for years to come.
Tennis
Following a successful 2018 campaign in which three players were selected to to the All-OVC team, Murray State women’s tennis out together another solid season. The Racers finished the year with a 12-9 record, going 6-2 in conference play, coming up short of an OVC regular season championship after falling to Austin Peay in sets 5-2. Unfortunately, the Racers’ season slide followed them into the postseason as the women were stunned by UT Martin in the first round of the OVC Tournament. Despite their fall, the Racers bright spot at the end of the season came April 25, as junior Claire Chang was named to the All-OVC second team.
Track and Field
With the season still in progress, the Murray State women’s track and field team will look to add to their resume heading into OVC Tournament play on May 9. The season has been highlighted by an impressive performance in the OVC Indoor Invitational in which the women’s team finishes in second overall behind three first-place finishes. The Racers will look to carry the momentum from their three top-3 finishes this season into conference play next weekend.
Men’s Golf
Despite a dismal start to the spring season, Murray State men’s golf ended its year on a high note with a second place finish in the Big Blue Intercollegiate and a third place finish in the OVC Championship. Juniors Austin Knight and Avery Edwards led the Racers with stellar seasons while senior Gabe Wheeler put together another solid season in his final year as a Racer. The team will look to use a strong team of underclassmen and multiple seniors to get over the hump come next fall.
Women’s Golf
After notching its third straight OVC Championship in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Murray State women’s golf has continued its run as the perennial powerhouse of the OVC. The Racers secured their 12th OVC Championship behind strong performances from senior Linette Holmslykke and graduate student Anna Moore. Moore took home first place honors with teammate Holmslykke finish close behind in second place. Moore and Holmslykke were each named to the All-OVC team while Holmslykke was named the OVC Player of the Year. The Racers will continue their season next week as they participate in the NCAA Regional at Saugahatchee Golf Course in Opelika, Alabama.
Baseball
Murray State Racer baseball got off to one its best OVC starts in nearly 10 years this season, winning five consecutive conference series to begin the season. Following a hiccup in which the team was swept by Belmont two weekends ago, the Racers rebounded with a sweep over Eastern Kentucky. Murray State currently sits in fourth place in the OVC with a 19-22 record and an important three-game series with Morehead State looming in the near future. The Racers will look to move up the standings with three weeks of play remaining including series matchups with UT Martin and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
Softball
Much like Murray State baseball, Racer softball is off to its best start in OVC play in years. The Racers are currently 14-6 in conference, going for a tie in fourth place with just two games separating them and Jacksonville State from first place. The Racers will finish their season with a non-conference game with Western Kentucky and a conference matchup with SIUE as they prepare for a chance at an OVC Tournament Championship next week in Oxford, Alabama.