Husker Head to Army West Point for Top-10 Showdown

Lincoln – After an unexpected week off, the Nebraska rifle team returns to action on Saturday morning, as the Huskers travel to Army West Point for a matchup of top-10 programs. Competition at the Tronsrue Marksmanship Center is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. (central).

Nebraska, which is 4-2 and ranked sixth in the latest CRCA poll, had a match with Akron canceled last weekend because of weather, and Saturday's match will be the Huskers' first since a 4,694-4,676 win over NC State on Jan. 24.

Army West Point (3-3), ranked 10th nationally this week, will be a strong test after defeating Navy last week and is. Saturday's match is the Huskers' last tuneup before next weekend's NCAA qualifier, and Nebraska rifle coach Rachel Martin know that this match will be good preparation for the stretch run.

"Army has been performing well and has a team that is very skilled," Martin said. "Our athletes have been focusing on performing under pressure as we get close to NCAA's next month, and I have no doubt they are up to the challenge. They will have to work hard to get the win this weekend."
 
The Huskers have been led by senior Emily Cheramie, who earned top-two finishes on both events in the win over NC State.  In that match, the Huskers earned four of the top six spots on smallbore as well as two of the top three places in air rifle en route to their third straight mark above 4,690. Cheramie currently ranks in the top 20 nationally in both smallbore (17th, 583.333) and air rifle (13th, 593.333). Freshman Madelynn Erickson is also ranked in the top 25 nationally, checking in at No. 23 in air rifle (592.000).

Following Saturday's match, the Huskers will compete at the NCAA qualifier at Murray State on Sunday, Feb. 21, before the Great American Rifle Conference Championship on Feb. 27-28.