– Class of 2026 | Fogelman College of Business & Economics –
Move-in day at Centennial Place during Warm Welcome was Gabriela Zych’s first day on the University of Memphis campus.
The Alaskan native had never visited or toured the campus before deciding to move almost 4,000 miles to Memphis from Anchorage, Alaska to be a part of Memphis Rifle.
Head coach Morgan Wilson recruited Zych to join the team.
“I didn’t know anything about Memphis coming here,” Zych said. “Morgan has been there for me the whole way. I just feel really grateful for her. She recruited me out of high school and gave me an opportunity to work hard and to perform well. And all I really want to do is do my best and make the University proud.”
Today, Zych is a powerhouse both on the range and in the classroom.
But she never considered herself an athlete. She discovered rifle in high school on a whim when looking at a list of sports offered and went to rifle tryouts. “I’d never shot a gun before, and I was really scared, but I tried it anyways,” she said. “I got lucky my first time and made it past cuts and tryouts. I ended up liking it and sticking with it.”
In 2024, Zych received the Elite-90 Award, being the first Tiger student-athlete to receive the honor. Presented by the NCAA, the award recognizes the achievements of student-athletes who have not only excelled at a national championship level in their perspective sport, but have also achieved the highest academic standards among their colleagues. She currently holds a 4.0 GPA and is majoring in business management with a concentration in human resources and a minor in project management.
“I really like working with people and working to support others,” Zych said. “So, thinking of a degree that complements that when I was looking at majors and options, I was drawn to HR and business is really practical and has helped me gain real-world, real-life skills. It just fit and suited me best.”
Outside of the classroom, Zych is breaking records on the range.
“I just feel like I’m becoming the best version of myself both in rifle and as a professional.”
– Gabriela Zych
She recently made program history winning two national titles at the 2025 USA Shooting National Rifle and Pistol Championship at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park.
“This whole season has been kind of like a test,” Zych said. “A test of time for me to see how much faith I can put into what I’m doing and if I’m doing the right thing. If practicing hard is going to pay off. I didn’t go in expecting to win.”
Zych stayed longer in the city to continue training for the competition which put her in some tough conditions, including shooting outdoors.
Most competitions are done at indoor ranges and indoors is where she typically practices. Zych had to be able to gauge the wind and make the necessary adjustments. She was also shooting at a different distance: 50 meters versus 50 feet.
She was able to come out on top, becoming the first national champion in Memphis Rifle program history, earning gold in both the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions Open Final and the Junior Final.
“I was really proud of the way that went. When I’m training, I know it will be more difficult in the match. Putting pressure on myself in practice, so when I’m really challenged, I can rise to the occasion and still be successful.”
Zych says that rifle requires mental discipline. “I feel like getting to go to the range, I learn more about myself every day,” Zych said. “How I respond to different situations and how to manage my emotions differently and better. And when I do that, I just feel like I’m becoming the best version of myself both in rifle and as a professional. That’s something I really enjoy about the sport — it’s very contemplative and reflective.”
Zych hopes to pursue a master’s degree after graduating and aspires to one day coach a team.
