Huskers Fall Short in Upset of No. 1 Kentucky

Lexington, Ky. – Eighth-ranked Nebraska was up for the challenge against No. 1 Kentucky, but the Wildcats used the nation's second-highest score of the year to post a 4,734-4,695 win over the eighth-ranked Huskers Friday morning.
 
Nebraska's team aggregate of 4,695 was the program's third-highest score since 2005 and the second straight meet the Huskers finished with 4,695 or better. As good as the Huskers were, the Wildcats were nearly better, as their total was one point off the national season high, which was also set by the Wildcats (9-1) back in November.
 
Nebraska Rifle Coach Rachel Martin was pleased with the team's performance against the Wildcats as it puts the program in better position for next month's NCAA qualifier, but also knows there is potential for more improvement from the Huskers (3-2) over the next month.
 
"Competing against the top team in the country could have easily been an intimidating situation, but our athletes took it as an opportunity to push themselves and display more discipline in their shots," Marin said. "This score helps our position going into NCAA Qualifiers later in February. Everyone on the line today did a great job, but also still have more in them."
 
In the smallbore, senior Emily Cheramie led NU with a season-high mark of 587 to finish fourth overall, but the Wildcats posted a 2,356-3,330 win in the event. Freshman Cecelia Ossi placed sixth (584), while Elana Flake finished seventh with a season-high mark of 581. Madelynn Erickson (579, eighth) and Kinga Aletto (571, 11th) rounded out the Husker lineup.
 
Cheramie led the Husker air rifle lineup with a near record-setting performance in the event. She placed second with a mark of 596, which was one point off NU's school record in the event, as the Wildcats edged out NU, 2,378-2,365. Erickson (591, seventh), Ossi (590, eighth) and Kinga Aletto (588, ninth) finished the scoring lineup, which included season highs for Ossi and Aletto.
 
The Huskers will continue its weekend in Kentucky, as they will face NC State Sunday morning in Murray, Ky., with the match starting at 7 a.m.