Martin Leads Huskers in Record-Breaking Season

The Nebraska rifle team entered a new era in 2019-20 when former Husker All-American and national champion Rachel Martin took over as head coach for the Huskers. In her debut season and alongside assistant coach Mindy Miles, Martin helped the Huskers break several school records and qualify for the 2020 NCAA Championships after missing out on NCAAs the previous year. However, Nebraska never got the chance to compete on the national stage as the championships were canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

While Martin didn't get the opportunity to finish the season, she still had a major impact in her debut year. Martin led the Huskers to a third-place regular-season finish in the Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) and a fourth-place finish at the GARC Championships. Individually, Emily Cheramie took home the smallbore title while Macey Way finished third.

Under Martin, the Huskers posted the highest score in school history (4,707) and the second-highest air rifle score in school history (2,373). Cheramie and Elena Flake also tied the highest individual air rifle score in school history (597) during the 2019-20 season. Martin also produced three All-Americans in Elena Flake, Hana Musser and Macey Way.  

NU kicked off the season by competing against Ohio State in Fort Wayne, Ind., on Oct. 5. Martin picked up her first win as a head coach as the Huskers topped the Buckeyes 4,651-4,635.

The following weekend, Nebraska hosted top-ranked West Virginia at the NU Rifle Range on Oct. 12. Flake tied the school record with an air rifle score of 597 but the Huskers couldn't overcome the Mountaineers, falling 4,719-4,642.

After a week off, Nebraska competed against Air Force, Kentucky and UTEP on Oct. 26 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Huskers placed third in the match with a score of 4,636. The following day, Nebraska lost to Air Force, 4,664-4,646. The Huskers shot well in air rifle, capturing three of the top five places as individuals. NU's air rifle performance was highlighted three score above 590. Elena Flake fired 596, nearly matching her school-record 597 from two weeks prior. Macey Way posted a then career-best score of 595 and Kinga Aletto, though not squadded, set a new career best with 591. Flake earned second place individually overall. Although not squadded, Mari Butler set a new career best with 588.

On Nov. 9, Nebraska returned home and welcomed Army West Point to Lincoln. The Huskers put together a complete performance to defeat the sixth-ranked Black Knights, 4,677-4,639.

The next weekend the Huskers traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, to compete against TCU and Memphis on Nov. 16. NU finished third with a score of 4,662. The next day, Nebraska looked to bounce back against Memphis but narrowly missed the opportunity, falling 4,669-4,666.

After a two-month break the Huskers were scheduled to take on Ole Miss on Jan. 18 but the match was canceled due to weather affecting travel schedules. Instead, NU opened up 2020 by defeating Navy, 4,671-4,661 in Maryland on Jan. 19. Emily Cheramie led the team in smallbore with a 585 while Way set a new career high in air rifle with a 596. 

On Jan. 25, TCU topped Nebraska at home, 4,709-4,686. Despite the loss, several Huskers fired career-high scores. In smallbore Flake led the Huskers with a career-high 589, the highest smallbore score from any Husker of the season and a new career-best for Flake. Hana Musser followed with 585, a new career-best, and Emily Cheramie added 581. Shooting independently, Macey Way also set a new career-best score with 582. Cheramie was out front for the Huskers in air rifle, firing a career-high 596. She was followed closely by Flake with 593 and Macey Way with 590. Flake's total combined score of 1,182 was highest on the day for either team.

Nebraska also celebrated senior day against the Horned Frogs, honoring Kayla Gadeken, Maddie Korthas, Samantha Peterson and Bailey Powell for their commitment and dedication to the rifle program. 

The Huskers got hot in the month of February, winning four straight matches. On Feb. 2, Nebraska beat NC State, 4,685-4,663 in Raleigh, N.C. On Feb. 8, NU topped Akron, 4,687-4,677, posting the third-highest total team score in school history at the time. On Feb. 14, Nebraska beat Ole Miss, 4,675-4,665 with help from an air rifle score of 2,368, which was the second-highest air rifle school in school history at the time.

On Feb. 22 the Huskers competed against Murray State at the NCAA Qualifiers. Not only did the Huskers beat Murray State (4,707-4,685) and qualify for the NCAA Championships, but they also posted the first-ever score over 4,700. The score of 4,707 was the highest in school history by a significant margin, surpassing the previous high of 4,693 set on Feb. 13, 2005. The total air rifle team score of 2,373 was the second-highest in program history as well, while the total smallbore score of 2,334 was the fifth-highest in program history. Individually, Cheramie tied the air rifle school record with a 597. 

At the GARC Championships on Feb. 28-29 in Memphis, Tenn., Nebraska placed fourth with a total two-day score of 4,678. In smallbore, Nebraska had two medalists. Emily Cheramie claimed the conference title with a finals score of 460.2. Cheramie advanced to the finals after a scoring 582 in the qualifying round. Macey Way took third overall with a total finals score of 442.1 and a qualifying score of 584.

At the GARC Banquet, Nebraska was recognized for its third-place regular-season finish. Individually, senior captain Maddie Korthas was named the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete. Emily Cheramie and Hana Musser earned All-GARC honorable-mention in smallbore. Elena Flake and Macey Way earned All-GARC second-team honors in air rifle. Flake earned second-team honors in the combined category, while Cheramie was named an honorable-mention in combined guns.

Nebraska would have competed as a team in the 2020 NCAA Championships March 13-14, but the competition was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Several Huskers were honored with postseason awards. Flake notched two awards from the NRA, earning second-team All-America honors in both smallbore and air rifle. Additionally, Flake was named a CRCA third-team All-American (combined). Freshmen Hana Musser and Macey Way also earned All-America honors from the NRA. Musser was recognized in smallbore as an honorable mention, while Way was a second-team air rifle pick.
 
Additionally, eight Huskers were named CRCA Scholastic All-Americans including Samantha Peterson, Maddie Korthas, Kayla Gadeken, Bailey Powell, Macey Way, Hana Musser, Elizabeth Ewert and Elizabeth Lorentz.