NU Produces Fourth Consecutive Top-Eight Finish

The 2015-16 Nebraska rifle team produced its fourth consecutive top-eight finish after placing eighth at the 2016 NCAA Championships under second-year head coach Ashley MacAllister and first-year assistant coach Rick Johnson.

The Huskers qualified for the NCAA Championships for the fourth consecutive year, marking the second-longest streak since rifle became a varsity sport at NU in 1998-99.

The team’s eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships capped a very successful 2015-16 season that included a number of personal-best scores, new school records and a pair of All-Americans.

The Huskers started the season by traveling to Colorado Springs for a pair of matches. On Oct. 10, NU battled Air Force. Despite solid air rifle performances from Rachel Martin (593), Jaycee Carter (591) and Hannah Virga (591), the Huskers fell to the Falcons 4,680-4,662. Freshmen, Jordan Miller and Hannah Yager each shot well in their collegiate debut, firing a 567 in smallbore and a 579 in air rifle, respectfully.

On Oct. 11, Hannah Virga broke the school record for highest air rifle score by a freshman (594) against top-ranked West Virginia. Freshman Nina Radulovic fired a career-best score of 592 in air rifle, while Maggie Mical notched a season-high air rifle score of 588, but the No. 1 Mountaineers outlasted the Huskers 4,714-4,654.

NU had a bye week to prepare for a two-day match against TCU and Memphis on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Huskers came in second, defeating Memphis, but falling to TCU. Jaycee Carter tallied a career-best air rifle score of 594. NU finished with a final team score of 4,675. TCU scored 4,708 and Memphis scored 4,654.

Despite starting the season 1-3, the Huskers showed their resiliency by bouncing back to win three of their next four matches, beginning with a weekend sweep in Charleston, S.C. on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The Huskers topped NC State 4,666-4,636, on Oct. 31, after dominating in smallbore by more than 20 points. The following day, NU overcame Army West Point 4,663-4,616. Virga fired a 597 in air rifle to breaking her own record for highest air rifle score ever shot by a freshman, which she set earlier in the season. Additionally, she tied Rachel Martin as the school record holder for highest overall air rifle score (597).

After another off week, Nebraska had its only two home matches of the season. On Nov. 14, the Huskers welcomed the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats to the NU Rifle Range. The Huskers tallied a higher smallbore score, but the Wildcats got the best of the Huskers in air rifle and defeated NU 4,676-4,645.

The following weekend, Nebraska hosted Akron on Nov. 21 for Senior Day. The team ended the fall season on a high note, flying by the Zips by a score of 4,670-4,612. The Huskers continued their hot streak in air rifle, firing a score of 2,360, the sixth-best score in school history. Rachel Martin was the top shooter of the day with 596. Denise Martin and Lorentz both made a mark during their last home match of the season, each firing personal-best air rifle scores of 593 and 591, respectively. Katie Brown and Rachel Yager also notched career-high score in smallbore, finishing with 556 and 559, respectfully. Mical posted a season-high score in smallbore (578).
Nebraska finished the fall season 4-4 and had almost a two-month break before returning to competition.

On Jan. 16, Nebraska traveled to Oxford, Miss., to compete against Murray State and Ole Miss. The Huskers finished with a team score of 4,672. Murray State ended in first with a score of 4,687, while Ole Miss placed third with 4,593. Nina Radulovic earned a personal-high in smallbore (584).

The following weekend, NU faced Murray State again in Murray, Ky., on Jan 23 and fell to the Racers 4,677-4,691. Denise Martin and Jordan Miller earned a personal-best scores. Martin in smallbore (589) and Miller in air rifle (588).

Nebraska continued a series of away matches on Jan. 31 in Columbus, Ohio, where the Huskers narrowly upset Ohio State by a score of 4,674-4,672.

After a week off, Nebraska competed in its final two matches of the regular-season in Annapolis, Md. On Feb. 13, NU dominated Ole Miss on Saturday by a score of 4,667-4,631.

On Feb. 14, Nebraska had an impressive finish to its regular season, including a number of personal-best scores, a season-high team score (4.680) and a team victory over Navy. Rachel Martin earned a career-high score (590) in smallbore, while Denise Martin tallied a personal-best in air rifle (594). With the win over Navy, Nebraska finished the regular season 8-6, including winning its last three matches.

A week later, the Huskers began postseason action at the NCAA Qualifiers in Murray, Ky., where the team finished second in their session and qualified for the 2016 NCAA Championships for the fourth consecutive season with a score of 4,668.

From Feb. 26-28, Nebraska competed at the GARC Championships in Oxford, Miss. Brown earned a career-high in air rifle (575), Major tied her career-best air rifle score (584) and Virga clinched a career-best in smallbore (570) at the championships. As a team, the Huskers finished sixth with a 4,638.

Denise Martin and Rachel Martin were recognized for their efforts by the conference. Denise Martin was honored in each of the three categories. The Chewelah, Wash., native earned honorable-mention in smallbore, air rifle and the two combined. It was her third consecutive season earning All-GARC honors. Rachel earned a spot on the second team in smallbore and combined. She was also the Nebraska recipient for the scholar-athlete award. As a team, Nebraska placed third in the conference during the regular season, behind West Virginia and Kentucky.

The Huskers concluded their season at the NCAA Championships in Akron, Ohio, on March 11-12. NU finished eighth with a score of 4,650. West Virginia took home its fourth consecutive national title with a combined score of 4,703. TCU claimed second (4,694), while Murray State clinched third (4,690).

Denise Martin and Rachel Martin each claimed All-America honors for their tremendous efforts on the rifle range. Both Huskers claimed second-team honors from the NRA in smallbore. Rachel was also named a CRCA honorable-mention All-American (combined).

Rachel Martin returns for her senior season in 2016-17, along with 2015 NRA All-American Jaycee Carter. As the only two seniors, Martin and Carter will serve as primary leaders on a young Husker squad, in pursuit of a fifth straight NCAA appearance in 2017.