FAIRBANKS – The No. 2 nationally ranked Alaska rifle team shot an all-time best overall and an all-time best in the smallbore, as the Nanooks qualified for the NCAA Championships with a great day at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range.
Alaska shot a 4,712 combined, a result that beat its all-time best score that was set earlier this season against Ohio State. In smallbore, the Nanooks shot a 2,346 which was also the best score in the team's history. Rose Hulman Institute of Technology also shot a team-best 4,416 as the team traveled to Fairbanks to compete in the NCAA Qualifier.
"It was a great day for the team and everyone who was shooting," said head coach Dan Jordan. "We had so many top performances and they are making it difficult to pick our top-five for Nationals!"
In the record setting smallbore, Tim Sherry led the way with a 589 total, including two perfect 100s in the Prone 2 and Stand 1 stances. Soren Butler turned in a strong day as well, as his 587 came in second on the team and also included two 100s, his in both prone stances.
Ryan Anderson and Mats Eriksson both shot 100s in the Prone 2 stance, turning in respective totals of 586 and 584. Lorelie Stanfield was the fifth Nanook on the team-sheet as she shot a 581.
In air rifle, where Alaska shot a 2,366, it was Anderson who missed a perfect 600 by just two shots, as his last four rounds were all perfect 100s.
Eriksson came in second with a 592 while Sherry was just behind the senior with a shot total of 591. Luke Johnson and Stanfield rounded out the five shooters for Alaska as they both shot 585.
The Nanooks will qualify second for the NCAA Championships, just one point behind No. 1 West Virginia. The two-day Championships will begin on March 13, hosted by the University of Alaska, at 9:00 a.m.
