Huskers Set for Two Top-20 Matchups This Weekend

The No. 8 Nebraska rifle team is set for a pair of matches against Top 20 teams this weekend. The Huskers compete against No. 18 Akron on Nov. 5 and fourth-ranked Kentucky on Nov. 6. Both matches are in Lexington, Ky., and are set to begin at 8 a.m.

Last Time Out
The Huskers are coming off a tie against Ohio State on Oct. 29. Maddie Korthas, Sarah Sutton, Samantha Peterson, Rachel Yager, Hannah Virga and Jordan Miller all earned career highs against the Buckeyes in the team’s first home match of the season. In smallbore, freshman Korthas brought in a 557 and sophomore Yager brought in a 575, both new individual career highs. Miller and Virga also posted career-bests in smallbore, scoring 570 and 572, respectively. The team was led by senior Rachel Martin and freshman Samantha Peterson. Martin and Peterson both fired a 580. As a team, the Huskers notched a 2,302 in smallbore. In air rifle, Nebraska totaled 2,360 with junior Dacotah Faught paving the way, scoring 594. Korthas tallied a 575 for her second career high of the day, and Sutton earned a personal best 582. Freshman Samantha Peterson added 593 to the effort with a career high of her own.

Scouting the Akron Zips Akron is coming off of a 4,609-4,379 victory over the University of Sciences on Oct. 29. The Zips dominated in both smallbore and air rifle competitions. Junior Julia Hatch fired 573 in smallbore and sophomore Caleb Lloyd posted the top smallbore score (577) of the day. In air rifle, Zachary Strohl fired a season high score of 590. It was the top overall air rifle score. Freshman Cierra Terrizzi added support with a score of 588. Akron’s roster includes four seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and five freshmen. The Zips are coached by Marling “Newt“ Engle, who is in his 39th season, making him the longest-tenured coach in the University of Akron’s history.

Scouting the Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky is the highest ranked team the Huskers have faced so far this season (No. 4). The Wildcats beat Army West Point on Oct. 29 4,704-4,651 to
improve to 7-1 on the

season. UK’s only loss this season came on Oct. 8 against Murray State. The Wildcats return three All-Americans this season in Hanna Carr, Heather Kirby and Sonya May. 

Another athlete to keep an eye on is junior Billy Azzinaro, who fired a 598 in air rifle on Oct. 29, which is only one point away from the current national leaders.

Huskers Ranked No. 8
The Nebraska rifle team ranks eighth in this week’s CRCA Top 20 Poll, remaining in the same spot as last week. West Virginia and Murray State hold the top two spots, respectively. TCU is ranked third while Kentucky (fourth) and Air Force (fifth) round out the top five.

Follow the Huskers
Fans can follow the action on twitter (@NebraskaRifle) and facebook (facebook.com/NebraskaRifle).