Huskers Finish Eighth at NCAA Championships

Akron, Ohio --- The No. 8 Nebraska rifle team competed at the 2016 NCAA Championship on March 11-12.  The Huskers finished with a score of 4,650 to earn eighth place, concluding a very successful 2015-16 season, that included a fourth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships, a number of personal-best scores and new school records.

"I am so proud of how this team represented the Univerisity of Nebraska," head coach Ashley Rose-MacAllister said. “We have hurdled so many obstacles successfully this year, as one. Not once did this team give up when they hit a road block. They did their best to work thorugh everything they encountered."

In smallbore, the Huskers posted a 2,297, putting them in eighth place at the end of the first day. Rachel Martin, the 2015 Smallbore National Champion, led the Huskers in the event with a 579. Nina Radulovic added some much-needed support with a 576. Seniors Denise Martin and Magdalena Mical fired 573 and 568, respectively, while Jaycee Carter notched a 569.

In the smallbore indivudal finals, West Virginia's Ginny Thrasher claimed first place, while fellow Mountaineer Meelis Kiisk took second place. Rachel Garner (TCU) placed third. Nebraska had no individuals qualify to the smallbore individual finals on Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, the Huskers fought hard to regain some ground. Carter and Radulovic led the effort, firing scores of 591 and 590, respectfully. Mical added 587, while R. Martin fired 585. D. Martin tallied a 580, bringing the team air rifle total to 2,353. The Huskers finished in sixth place on the event.

In the event finals, Thrasher took home her second individual title of the weekend, while Mindy Miles from TCU placed second and Ali Weisz (Ole Miss) earned third. No Huskers advanced to the air rifle finals. 

West Virginia took home its fourth consecutive national team title, with a combined score of 4,703. TCU claimed second (4,694), while Murray State clinched third (4,690).

This match concludes Nebraska's 2015-16 season, but Rose-MacAllister is excited for the team’s future.

"I am so proud of what we learned this year," MacAllister said. "We have seen our successes and weaknesses and it is a great foundation to build upon for next year; I can't wait to see what is to come."

TEAM FINAL STANDINGS

Team   SM + AR = TOTAL

1. West Virginia 2338 + 2365 = 4703

2. Texas Christian 2333 + 2361 =4694

3. Murray State 2329 + 2361 = 4690

4. Air Force 2309 + 2360 = 4669

5. Kentucky 2313 + 2356 = 4669

6. Alaska Fairbanks 2313 + 2351 = 4664

7. Ohio State 2308 + 2351 = 4659

8. Nebraska 2297 + 2353 = 4650