Freshman LaFond Leads Huskers in Loss to Cats

Lincoln -- True freshman Elisha LaFond produced a strong air rifle score in her first collegiate competition, but the Nebraska rifle team fell 4,673-4,607 to Kentucky in the Huskers' season-opening match at the Nebraska Rifle Range on Friday.

LaFond led the Huskers in air rifle with a score of 584 to tie for fourth place individually with Kentucky’s Sarah Broeker. Sophomore Amanda Jeffries was NU’s top smallbore shooter with a fifth-place 578, followed by a 574 from senior All-American Kirsten Weiss in sixth. Jeffries also finished fourth with a combined total of 1,161.

In the team competition, UK topped Nebraska in both categories, totaling a 2,341 in air rifle, while the Huskers’ managed a 2,322. The Wildcats also out-shot NU 2,332-2,285 in smallbore.

“We didn’t shoot as well as we hoped today,” Head Coach Morgan Hicks said. “The team has some work to do, but I am confident now that our first match is under our belt that we will shoot higher scores on Sunday.

“I was really impressed with our freshmen. It was their first college match, and instead of crumbling under pressure, they all stepped up to the challenge and shot well. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone will do on Sunday against Alaska-Fairbanks.”

Nebraska faces defending NCAA champion Alaska-Fairbanks on Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Nebraska Rifle Range.