Results

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The No.3-ranked Alaska Nanooks coed rifle team earned their first victory of the 2018-19 season, taking down the No. 14 Ohio State Buckeyes 4666-4659 in a head-to-head match at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range.

The Nanooks defeated the Buckeyes in smallbore 2307, but Ohio State took the air gun relay 2360-2359.

"It was a great match to start off the season, there were a lot of good scores shot today," head coach Layne Lewis said on Friday. "I was happy to see only a two-point spread between the top four shooters for us. I'm also pleased that we met our team goal in prone, shooting a 796 out of a possible 800 points. We are looking forward to a light day at the gun show tomorrow and will be ready to get back at it on Sunday against Nebraska."

Ohio State's Rhiann Travis was the top overall shooter on Friday, producing a 585 in smallbore and a 591 in air rifle for a match-best aggregate score of 1176. Travis' smallbore was the highest of any individual shooter, while her air gun score placed her second overall.

Junior Amy Gentry and senior JT Schnering were the highest-ranking Nanooks of the day, both producing an aggregate score of 1169. Both Fairbanks natives, Gentry ranked first in the air rifle standings with a 593 and fourth in smallbore with a 576, while Schnering ranked third in smallbore with a 578 and third in air rifle with a 591.  

In his collegiate debut, rookie Kellen McAferty placed fourth overall with an aggregate total of 1168. The Littlerock, Washington native placed second overall in smallbore with a 581 before shooting a 587 in air rifle.

Rounding out the top-five individuals on the day was junior Grace Nelson, who posted a 1167 aggregate total. Nelson placed fourth in air rifle (591) and fifth in smallbore (576). Nelson's air rifle score ties her personal-best and was only one point back from her best in smallbore.

The Alaska Nanooks rifle team returns to the E.F. Horton Rifle Range on Sunday, Oct. 14, for another head-to-head match against No. 8 Nebraska. The first relay is set to take place at 9am AKT, while the second relay is scheduled for 1:30pm AKT.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks rifle team, follow @NanooksRifle on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Rifle team page on Facebook.