Rifle Defeats UTEP in NCAA Qualifiers

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska women’s rifle team defeated the University of Texas-El Paso for the second time this season, 6,178-6,115.  Sophomore Misty Chanek was the top individual finisher, taking first in both events by firing a career-best 392 in air rifle and a 1,169 in smallbore.

 

The Huskers recorded the top three finishes in smallbore, out shooting UTEP 4,633-4,596.  Senior Karen Aspden fired a career-best 1,148.  In air rifle, NU topped UTEP 1,545-1,519, lead by Chanek (392) and Freshman Kristina Fehlings (391).  Junior Laura Johnson recorded a career-best 388, competing unattached.

 

NU Head Coach Launi Meili was encouraged by her team’s performance.

 

“Everyone was working to push their upper limit today, and many of them were able to do that.  It was really an accomplishment to have three of them shot their career best in a pressure situation like NCAA Qualifiers.”

 

Nebraska will now await the results of the other qualifying matches around the nation, and will learn later this week if the team and any individuals qualify for the NCAA Championships in Murray, Ky. on March 13 and 14.  Last year, the University of Nevada-Reno was the last team to make the championships in smallbore, shooting a 4,613.  Air Force was the final team to qualify in air rifle with a 1,546.

 

 

Nebraska

Prone

Stand

Kneel

Total

Misty Chanek

397

378

394

1169

Kristina Fehlings

394

384

377

1155

Melissa Downsbrough

393

383

384

1160

Stacy Underwood

395

369

385

1149

Team Total

1579

1514

1540

4633

UTEP

Prone

Stand

Kneel

Total

Sarah Paoletta

394

368

390

1152

Rachel Glenn

396

367

390

1153

Raichelle Smith

389

365

386

1140

Leah Wilcox

397

369

385

1151

Team Total

1576

1469

1551

4596

Nebraska

Air

Sarah Quinn

376

Misty Chanek

392

Melissa Downsbrough

386

Kristina Fehlings

391

Team Total

1545

UTEP

Air

Sarah Paoletta

387

Rachel Glenn

386

Raichelle Smith

368

Susan Jayroe

378

Team Total

1519