Huskers Edge Buckeyes in Season Opener

Lincoln - Behind strong performances from sophomores Cecelia Ossi and Madelynn Erickson, the Nebraska rifle team opened the 2021-22 season with a 4,678-4,673 victory over Ohio State at the Nebraska Rifle Range Saturday afternoon. Ossi (1,173) and Erickson (1,172) finished second and third, respectively, in aggregate, as the Huskers won in Head Coach Mindy Miles' debut. 

Miles had high praise for her new Assistant Coach, JT Schnering: "JT was a great resource for the girls today and incredibly helpful in running the first home match of the season."

For Ossi, her total matched her career high set twice last season, while Erickson's aggregate total marked the second-highest score of her career. In smallbore, Nebraska took three of the top five spots with All-American Emily Cheramie placing third with a 584, while Ossi and Erickson both posted scores of 583. Erickson's score matched her personal best as Nebraska out-scored the Buckeyes, 2,329-2,326 in the event. Elena Flake (579, 7th) rounded out the scoring lineup, while freshman Mackenzie Strauch (572, 11th) was the Huskers' fifth shooter in smallbore.

Nebraska took three of the top four spots in air rifle, as the Huskers edged the Buckeyes, 2,349-2,347. Ossi earned runner-up honors with a score of 590, the second-best mark of her career. Erickson (589) and Flake (588) both earned top-four finishes while Strauch (582, eighth) and Kinga Aletto (578, 12th) rounded out the Huskers' lineup.

"The girls worked hard and were paying close attention to the feedback within their process. Having said that, we have some skills to work on going into next week" said Head Coach Mindy Miles of the team's debut.

The Huskers will return to action on Oct. 9, when they travel to UTEP. The match is slated to begin at 9 a.m. (central).

Get the final match scores here!