Nebraska Shoots Towards for NCAA BerthNebraska Shoots Towards for NCAA Berth
Rifle

Nebraska Shoots Towards for NCAA Berth

The Nebraska rifle team looks to improve on a sixth-place finish at the Roger Withrow Invitational this week, as the Huskers travel to El Paso, Texas, to face the Air Force Academy and also shoot at the NCAA Qualifier this weekend.

The Huskers will face the Falcons beginning at 8 a.m. Friday morning. NU already downed the Air Force Academy once this season, as the Huskers handled the Falcons, 6,135-6,073 in the season-opening dual for both teams on Oct. 19 in Lincoln.

NU will also look to qualify for the NCAA Championships this weekend, as El Paso is one of ten NCAA Qualifier sites. The NCAA Qualifier meets are the only opportunity for shooters to qualify for one of 48 individual spots at the championships, which will be held March 13-15 in West Point, N.Y. For a team to be selected, its shooters must rank among the top 48.

"Everybody has shot really good this season," rifle coach Launi Meili said. "If we shoot our best, and we have been shooting really well lately, we have a really good shot at getting into the NCAA meet. Everyone will have to perform to their full potential."

The Huskers are looking for their third NCAA team berth, as the Huskers finished third in 2000 at the NCAA meet, and sixth in 2001.

Following the NCAA Qualifier, the Huskers will be in action again from Feb. 18-19 as they travel to the Aloha state for the PRMCSL Hawaiian Invitational in Honolulu.