Students attending the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) often struggle to find a balance between their extracurriculars and studies. However, there are many exceptions who not only stuck a balance between their pursuits and hobbies but find many aspects of their two worlds alike. One of these exceptions includes Roxanne Keel.
Keel is a junior who is currently in her third year as part of the UTEP’s rifle team as well as a research assistant for Dr. Hirschi’s biology lab.
Her interests began at a very early age, growing up in the Houston area with her father who served in the military, four younger brothers and having a natural curiosity for how things function.
“Growing up, I’ve always been interested in how things work the way they do,” Keel said. “So, I think learning more about science really helped influence that.”
Living alongside her four brothers, Liam for his dedication and work ethic, Austin for his analytic and critical thinking, and a pair of twins who live life to the fullest.
Even though Keel grew up as the oldest, she often looked up to her younger brothers with aspects of her siblings shaping her personality and as a person.
Despite now working in a biology lab, Keel said she disliked chemistry once but had an amazing teacher that inspired her to pursue the world of science.
Keel has been a member of the rifle team for three years but has been shooting for nearly nine years, starting at the age 12.
Her early exposure to firearms came from her father’s military background. From the beginning, she was taught discipline and respect needed to handle a gun.
“Just learning the discipline of knowing that it’s a real-life thing and stuff like that (firearms) is not a toy or to be messed with,” Keel said. “I was able to decipher where I have to be very intentional with my actions and where I can be able to joke around at a very early age.”
Women sports, specifically rifle, are in a unique position where it’s the only sport where it is common for both men and women to compete.
In fact, according to an article on Entertainment and Sports Programing Network (ESPN), women are as good as, if not fractionally better in rifle than men.
In the article, it discusses on how women outperform men due to being more coachable, tend to have lower centers of gravity for stability, and have better motor control.
UTEP rifle head coach Andrea Palafox has also played a significant role in Keel’s development.
“Watching her get back into the sport, after competing, and having a kid, and seeing her love for that sport and being able to share that with everyone is very inspiring,” Palafox said.
Keel said she often connects her experiences in rifle to her academic interests, especially her goal of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.
“It’s fun to show up to practice and just explain to coach or my teammates, ‘oh why the rifle does this,” Keel said.
As she continues her academic and athletic career, Keel said she remains grounded by the support of her family and those who helped her along the way.
Dustin Perez is contributing cartoonist and photographer for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]
