FORT WORTH, TX - FORT WORTH, Texas - A sub-par performance in air rifle, coupled with a dominating performance by the host Texas Christian University, doused the Alaska Nanooks rifle team's bid for an 11th NCAA championship title. The Horned Frogs defeated the Blue and Gold 4,675-4,653, erasing a six-point deficit coming into the day, and giving the Nanooks a silver finish for the fifth time in program history.
One day after being crowned the small bore National Champions, the Nanooks could only muster a sixth place finish in air gun with 2,333 points.
After seeing just one shooter, senior Patrik Sartz (Stora Sundby, Sweden), qualify for the small bore finals and take second overall among individuals, none of Alaska's traditionally strong air gun marksmen found themselves partaking in the air rifle final.
Rookie Dustin Chesebro was the top shooter on the day for Alaska with a 586, followed by Sartz's 585, junior Cody Rutter's 584 and senior Jace Bures' 578.
Alaska held a six-points cushion over their hosts entering the day, but an impressive showing by TCU's starting line up in the first relay turned the six-point deficit into a 15-point advantage. The gap was too wide for the Nanooks to overcome as the starters struggled amidst the pressure to overtake TCU.
Combined Results:
1. Texas Christian 4,675
2. Alaska 4,653
3. West Virginia 4,641
4. Kentucky 4,640
5. Army 4,627
6. Nebraska 4,619
7. Murray State 4,611
8. Navy 4,602
Air Rifle Results:
1. TCU 2,361
2. Kentucky, 2,344
3. Murray State 2,339
4. Army 2,336
5. West Virginia 2,333
6. Alaska 2,333
7. Nebraska 2,324
8. Navy 2,314
