FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU Women’s Rifle made history in 2010, becoming the first NCAA Rifle Champions with a team of all women. The Frogs would go on to win national titles again in 2012 and 2019, again, with all women at the line.
When it comes to that legacy, sophomore Katie Zaun believes, “That’s something to brag about for sure.”
Fast forward to 2021, 2022 and 2023, where TCU Rifle would claim second place at the NCAA Championships.
Fifth-year senior Stephanie Grundsoe experienced them all.
“We have put in so much effort this year and last year and the past years that I’ve been here,” she said.
This year, things would be different.
TCU Rifle Coach Karen Monez came to the university in 2004. She was looking on at the NCAA Championships as the Frogs finished day one down six points overall.
“I’m telling them, 'Hey, it is only halftime,'” Monez laughed.
The Frogs fired in a fantastic showing at the line on Day Two, winning their 4th national title with an aggregate score of 4,732 and beating out rival West Virginia by just three points. A moment that will forever be etched in this team’s memory.
Fellow fifth-year senior Stephanie Allan sharing, “There was tears. There was happiness. There was joy.”
Zaun adding, “It is still a moment I reflect on every single day. It was such a sweet victory.”
Grundsoe ending, “It’s something that will stick with me forever.”
TCU continuing to perform so well with a team of all women in a co-ed sport is no surprise to Monez.
“I think the females have a little bit of an advantage.” When asked why, she replies, “I just think… maybe we feel like we have something to prove.”
“It also proves that we don’t need men to shoot with us. We don’t need them to win national championships,” Zaun said.
Six of the women on the TCU Rifle Team competed at the Junior Olympics and several competed to represent their country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Zaun is an alternate for Team USA in Rifle.