Huskers in Fourth Place after Day One

Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Nebraska women's rifle team sits in fourth place at the NCAA Championships, following a strong performance Friday afternoon at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Led by solid outings from junior Misty Chanek and sophomore Kristina Fehlings, the Huskers shot a team total 2,319. 

Chanek and Fehlings each shot a 585 in the event, turning in the top scores for the Huskers. Freshmen Kirsten Weiss (576) and Kim Chrostowski (573) rounded out the field for the Huskers in the team competition.

Alaska-Fairbanks currently leads the competition, shooting a 2,334. Army is in second place after firing a 2,328, followed by Jacksonville St. (2,320).

Nebraska Head Coach Launi Meili feels confident about her team's position.

"We are a little disappointed with our performance in smallbore, but we are definitely not out of it," Meili said. "We have known all along that air rifle is our stronger event, and I anticipate a solid performance out of the girls tomorrow."

In addition to shooting for the team, sophomore Kristina Fehlings' score also counted in the competition for the smallbore individual national championship. Fehlings finished in third place to champion Matt Rawlings of Alaska-Fairbanks, shooting a 100.2 in the finals.

The NCAA Championships will conclude Saturday at 9 a.m. with the team and individual air rifle championships. Fehlings, Chanek and Franzen will each compete for the individual crown in the event while also shooting for the team. The overall team champion will be determined by combining the smallbore and air rifle totals for each school.