Lincoln - The Nebraska rifle team started the 2001-02 season in winning fashion, defeating Air Force 6,138-6,022 in a dual at the Nebraska Rifle and Pistol Range Saturday.

The Huskers set several range records in the win, and were led by sophomore Melissa Downsbrough and junior Amanda Trujillo. Downsbrough led all shooters in the smallbore competition, firing a 1,160 to claim the individual title, marking the third highest score fired at the range in competition.

The Huskers' smallbore score of 4,598 was a range record, bettering the previous mark of 4,593 set last season against Wyoming. Trujillo, who won the air rifle competition with 392 points, fired a solid 1,159 to finish second overall in the smallbore. Freshman Alicia Sawyer, a native of Andover, Minn., started her collegiate career on solid footing, firing a 1,152 to finish third. Senior Rachel Spiry rounded out the scoring for the Huskers with a 1,127.

In the air rifle competition, Nebraska edged the Falcons 1,540-1,538. Downsbrough shot a 388, while Spiry and Sawyer both fired a 380.

"I'm certainly pleased that we won," Coach Karen Anthony said. "The scores were a bit lower than they are capable of shooting, but that should motivate them to work harder."

Competing as individuals, senior Terim Richards finished seventh in the air rifle with a score of 376, while sophomore Karen Aspden finished seventh in the smallbore (1,115) and 10th in the air rifle (368).

The Huskers will take a few weeks off before returning to competition on Nov. 10, when they face Kentucky in a dual in Lexington, Ky.

Nebraska	Smallbore	Air Rifle		Air Force	Smallbore	Air Rifle
Melissa Downsbrough	1,160	388