Huskers Continue Record-Setting Run

Lexington, Ky. -- The Nebraska rifle team just keeps getting better. In a triangular fired against Kentucky and Air Force on Friday, the Huskers set school records in both smallbore and aggregate scores on their way to winning the overall match title. Nebraska's smallbore score of 4,641 bettered its previous record by 10 points, which combined with the air rifle total of 1,556 gave the Huskers an aggregate score of 6,197. That total demolished the previous record of 6,180 set Nov. 4 against Jacksonville State.

Kentucky recorded scores of 4,604 in smallbore and 1,553 in air rifle to finish second with an aggregate score of 6,157, followed by Air Force with scores of 4,551 and 1,496 to total 6,047.

Nebraska dominated the match, winning both the smallbore and air rifle events in convincing fashion. The Huskers, who have also broken the school record in air rifle this season, have been particularly effective with the smallbore rifle, twice recording school-record scores and just missing on one other occasion. However, it's not just the records that impress Coach Karen Anthony.

"I'm particularly happy with the smallbore performance," Anthony said. "Not just because they had a higher score, but because of the consistency. To have two shooters shoot in the 1160s and a third fire a 1,159 is great."

Sophomore Nicole Allaire recorded the Huskers' highest score in the event, finishing second with a 1,168. Teammate and fellow sophomore Amanda Trujillo was close behind, firing a 1,165 to take third, while freshman Melissa Downsbrough fired a 1,159 to finish fourth. Freshman Heather Pissos rounded out the team scoring with a 1,149, good for seventh place.

In the air rifle competition three Huskers finished in the top four led by Trujillo, who fired a personal-best score of 393. Downsbrough followed with a career-best score of 390 to finish third, while Allaire fired a 388 to take fourth. Junior Terim Richards fired a 385 to complete the team scoring.

Competing as an individual, Husker junior Rachel Spiry fired scores of 1,135 (12th) and 387 (7th).

Kentucky's Bradley Wheeldon claimed both the individual titles, firing a 1,174 in smallbore and a 395 in air rifle.

NOTE: The Nebraska rifle team has added a home match to its schedule. The Huskers will play host to Wyoming and Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Nebraska Indoor Rifle and Pistol Range, which is located on campus in the basement of the Military and Naval Sciences Building. Competition is set to begin at 8 a.m.