Huskers Drop Tough Match to Alaska-Fairbanks - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site

El Paso, Texas - In its first competition in more than a month, the Nebraska rifle team fell to defending national champion Alaska-Fairbanks 6,130-6,215 in El Paso, Texas, on Friday. Despite recording a season-high score in the smallbore, the Huskers were unable to match the Nanooks, who fired a 6,258 on Thursday, the highest score in the nation this season.

Nebraska received a career performance from freshman Alicia Sawyer, who led the team in the smallbore with a 1,168, which ties for the best mark by a Husker this season. Sawyer's score, which bettered her previous high by 12 points, placed her second overall behind Alaska-Fairbanks' Matt Emmons, the 2001 NCAA smallbore champion. The Huskers also received a strong performance from junior Amanda Trujillo. Trujillo, who has been the Huskers' top shooter all season, fired a 1,165 to tie for third.

Although the Huskers had a strong showing with the smallbore, they struggled with air rifle, shooting a 1,511, their lowest score since Nov. 5, 1999, when they fired a 1,510 at the Walsh Invitational. One bright spot was the performance of sophomore Melissa Downsbrough. Downsbrough, who was averaging 386.6 with the air rifle entering the match, fired a 387 to finish fifth overall.

The Huskers will return to the range on Saturday to fire a shoulder-to-shoulder match with host UTEP.

Nebraska

Smallbore

Air Rifle