The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1043000
108 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL T he Emily Holsopple era has be- gun for NC State rifle, and she brings impressive credentials to the position, including being a nine-time All-American at Ken- tucky from 2010-14, leading the Wildcats to a national championship and performing for the U.S. National Team. Following the conclusion of her col- lege career, she trained at the U.S. Olym- pic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., but always had the goal of becoming a college rifle coach. She replaces Keith Miller, who coached the Wolfpack for 29 years. "It has been eventful, and I absolutely love it here," Holsopple said. "We have a great program and a great support staff. Everything is starting to come together. I'm excited for what the future holds." Holsopple got into the sport at a young age herself. Her father and brother were both into hunting and fishing, and started competitive shooting at a local rifle club. She followed in their footsteps, but didn't expect to be any good. Those thoughts quickly proved to be wrong. "I was a bit of a natural at it," Holsop- ple said. "I won Junior Olympics when I was 14 years old. I made a U.S. team and started traveling, and did my first interna- tional trip that same year. "By that point, I was hooked." Holsopple will start her coaching ca- reer with a solid nucleus. NC State lost seven-time All-American Lauren Phillips, but returns juniors Zach Eisenberg, Claire Zanti and Kendra Jacobs, along with se- niors Claire Spina and Will Marciniak. The Wolfpack finished sixth at the Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) Cham- pionships last year. "The seniors bring a lot of experience to the team," Holsopple said. "Claire has been taking the reins and has been a leader FRESH START New Coach Emily Holsopple Is Poised To Create Her Mark On The NC State Program Senior Claire Spina has emerged as a leader under new Wolfpack rifle coach Emily Holsopple. Spina averaged a 1,146.793 total aggregate in air rifle and smallbore last year. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS RIFLE PREVIEW