U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- The University of North Georgia has facilitated a scholastic rifle team since the school’s founding in 1873 (then known as the North Georgia Agricultural College). The program entered NCAA status in the fall of 2007, then returning in the fall of 2011 after the hiring of the program’s first full-time coach, former athlete Tori Kostecki. Under her leadership, the team has consistently increased its annual statistics and overall records, earned three Southern Conference (SOCON) titles, six individual SOCON titles and, in 2021, the program’s first NCAA qualifier, Kimberlee Nettles! Go, Nighthawks!
College Athlete #1 – Ryan Sponauer
Hometown/Junior Team: Southington, Connecticut/Junior Rifle Club at Blue Trail Range in Wallingford, Connecticut
What is your major? Favorite class? I am majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in Natural Sciences (with focuses on Biology and Ecology) and Social Sciences (with focuses on Criminal Justice). My favorite classes I have taken have been Environmental Sciences as well as History of World’s Religions.
How old were you when you got involved in rifle? I started competitive smallbore when I was a sophomore in high school. I first started shooting, in general, when my father and I started shooting sporting clays when I was 14 years old.
Favorite rifle and stage? My favorite rifle to shoot is smallbore. I really enjoy prone and standing. My favorite type of matches are outdoor prone matches.
What do you do outside of rifle to train and better yourself? I work out at least four days a week, with focuses on cardio and core strength. I also try
