STATESBORO - Georgia Southern head rifle coach
Sandra Worman announced Tuesday the signing of two student-athletes who will join the program in the fall. Bella Gamez (San Antonio, Texas) and Kinsley Hannon (Newnan, Ga.) signed National Letters of Intent and will enroll along with Erin Ballard (Reedsville, Ga.), Anna Mayo (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Brianne Staton (Deatsville, Ala.) and Amy Visconti (Champlain, N.Y.), who all signed in the fall.
The incoming freshman class of six is the largest one in program history, and there is a lot of talent there to complement the sophomores. Between both classes, four qualified for the currently postponed Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs. Sophomores
Lillian Herring,
Ashley Judson,
Gabby Morrow and
Amelia Pierce are scheduled to round out the 10-player roster.
Bella Gamez
San Antonio, Texas • Johnson HS
COACH WORMAN ON BELLA: "Bella came highly recommended by every coach I asked. She's a hard worker, is very passionate about rifle, shoots a lot of matches and has really stepped up to an elite level of training on her way to a well-earned place in a Division 1 varsity program. We are thrilled she chose us."
PREP: Attends Claudia Taylor Johnson High, where she shot for Coach Thomas Groggett … Shot for Texas Hill Country Shooting Team for Coach Ron Haffner … Team was the 2019 NRA National Smallbore Champions … 2018 Texas 4-H District 10 Smallbore Rifle Match fourth place … 2019 Bexar County JROTC Air Rifle Championship third place individual/first place team … 2019 Army JROTC third place Precision Team Region Championships … 2019 Texas 4-H District 10 Smallbore Rifle Match … 2019 Texas 4-H State RoundUp fifth place individual and third place team … 2019 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships Conventional Position Metallic sights Highest Scoring Junior Team … 2019 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships Conventional Prone Any Sights Highest Scoring Junior Team … 2019 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships Conventional Prone Metallic Sights Highest Scoring Junior Team … 2019 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships Conventional Position Any Sights Highest Scoring Junior Team … 2019 NRA National Smallbore Rifle Conventional Position Team Champion … 2019 TSRA State Indoor Championships Intermediate Junior Smallbore third place … Montgomery Bell Academy second place 3PAR Team … 2020 U.S. Army Junior Air Rifle National Championship first place team - Smallbore … 2020 Army JROTC Region Championships first place Precision Team Team captain … Finished fifth at the Texas 4H Roundup … A member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL: Born Maria Isabella Gamez on March 20, 2002 in San Antonio … Daughter of Renee and Arnold Gamez … Has three older siblings: Jackie Beach, Christopher Gamez and Ricardo Gamez Garza.
INTENDED MAJOR: Psychology
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Kinsley Hannon
Newnan, Ga. • East Coweta HS
COACH WORMAN ON KINSLEY: "I'm delighted when a Georgia girl sets her sights to come to Georgia Southern with laser beam focus and that is exactly how Kinsley managed her recruiting process. She navigated every step of the way with a 'can-do, that's an obstacle we can overcome' attitude. She brings a lot to the table and we are glad to have her talent and motivation. Additionally, she brings our number to 10. Ten young women shooting 10s sounds mighty auspicious!"
PREP: Attends East Coweta High, where she has been a member of the rifle squad … Coached by Peter Merrill … Also shot for 4-H … Individual area champion in 2019 … Named to the all-area team in 2020 … Named distinguished shooter in 2020 … Earned an expert marksmanship medal … A Junior Olympic automatic qualifier … A 2020 state automatic qualifier … A 2020 JROTC national qualifier … A member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL: Born Kinsley Olivia Hannon on Nov. 15, 2001 in Newnan, GA … Daughter of Amy Dill and Tim Hannon … Stepdaughter of David Dill … Has an older sister, Chandler and two older stepsisters, Maddie Dill and Morgan Dill.
INTENDED MAJOR: Nursing
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