Huskers Welcome UMKC for Final Home Dual

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The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska rifle team returns to action this weekend as it hosts the UMKC Kangaroos at the Nebraska Rifle Range at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.  The match will be the third and final home dual of 2005-06 for the Huskers, who are currently 5-0 on the season.

 

Nebraska owns a 9-1 series record over UMKC with NU suffering its only loss to the Kangaroos during the teams’ first meeting back in 1998.  Since then, the Huskers have been on the winning end of an eight-meet streak and hope to gain No. 9 this weekend.

 

After failing to qualify for the NCAA tournament in 2005, the Kangaroos have continued to struggle this season.  UMKC is winless in dual matches in 2005-06 and has shot a team-high score of just 4,576, which came during its season-opening loss to Air Force in October.

 

However, with a win the Huskers would pick up their sixth victory of the season and wrap fall competition undefeated.  Such a successful run could provide the confidence NU will need to take on defending national champion Army when the season resumes on Jan. 14.  However, Head Coach Launi Meili and the Huskers are currently less concerned with victories and more focused on improving their overall team scores in order to be prepared to compete for the NCAA title in March.

 

2005-06 Season Recap

? NU vs. Air Force (Oct. 22) - The Huskers shot a 4,686 to kick off the 2005-06 and lock down a win over Air Force at the Nebraska Rifle Range.  Senior Misty Chanek marked a score of 591 to lead the Huskers in the smallbore.  The score also tied Chanek’s career-high in the discipline.  NU also performed well in the air rifle where it took the top four spots led by a score 590 by sophomore Andrea Franz?n. 

 

? NU vs. Air Force (Oct. 23) - Nebraska secured win No. 2 over Air Force in the second meeting with a season-high team score of 4,687.  The Huskers also shot a season-high smallbore score of 2,339.  Individually, several NU shooters scored career-highs in air rifle including a 593 for Franz?n to tie her previous best, and a 582 for junior Stacy Underwood who bested her previous career high by five points.

 

? NU at Ole Miss (Nov. 5) - The Huskers took their winning ways on the road against Ole Miss and grabbed their third consecutive victory.  Sophomore Kirsten Weiss earned top honors in the smallbore with a final score of 680, while Franz?n again dominated air rifle with a score of 592.

 

? NU at Memphis (Nov. 6) - NU secured its second consecutive GARC win against Memphis after a win against Ole Miss on Nov. 5.  With the loss of sophomore Kim Chrostowski to the CAT Championships in Puerto Rico, Franz?n made her season debut on the smallbore lineup and finished fifth overall with a score of 580.  Chanek performed well in both disciplines and used her 585 in air rifle to share the meet title in the event with Memphis’ Krissey Bahnsen.

 

? NU vs. Kentucky (Nov. 17) - Nebraska topped Kentucky by its smallest margin of victory on the season, 4,661-4,653.  Junior Kristina Fehlings shot a career-high 591 in air rifle for a fourth-place finish overall, while Franz?n once again took the top seed with a score of 592 in regulation and 99 in finals.