FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks rifle team begins its search for an 11th NCAA National Championship this weekend, as they host a pair of Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Top 10 teams in No. 3 Air Force and No. 9 Ohio State at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range in the Patty Center.
The Nanooks, who finished as the NCAA Runner Up last season, opens the year on Saturday, Oct. 17, with the No. 9-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Alaska concludes the weekend with a premier collegiate rifle meet, as the No. 2-ranked Nanooks take on No. 3 Air Force on Sunday, Oct. 18. Both meets will begin at 9 a.m.
"The team is super excited to be back on the range after a long offseason," said head coach Dan Jordan. "We are going to challenge them right out of the gate, by having them go up against a pair of top-10 nationally ranked teams. This weekend will be a good test for us. It gives us a chance to see where we are at against the nation's best, and also what we need to work on as the season progresses."
The Buckeyes and Falcons will go head-to-head this afternoon at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range.
Alaska returns with several shooters from last year's squad, including senior Tim Sherry, who won the 2014 National Championship in the smallbore. The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native earned the team's highest overall finish in the air rifle at last year's NCAA National Championship with his eighth-place appearance. Sherry is also the team's top returner in the smallbore, as he placed fifth at last year's Championships. Joining the senior will be Sagen Maddalena and Lorelie Stanfield, who both finished in the top-10 in the smallbore last season, as well as a top-30 finish in the air rifle.
Fans can follow along with live stats for the entire weekend by clicking the link here.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks rifle team, follow @NanooksRifle on Twitter or like Alaska Nanooks Rifle on Facebook.
