Full Results
 
FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks rifle team kicked-off their 2021-22 campaign with a touch of history. They posted a program-best season-opening score of 4722, doubling as their second-best scoring day ever as well as tying the air rifle record. This win over Ohio State makes them 1-0 to begin the season. 
 
"Today was a great team performance and a really strong start to our season." Said head coach Will Anti, "To open the season with a program-record in air and one of the highest team scores in program history says a lot about the work this group has already put in this season. Early on they said they wanted to improve prone and air gun over last year and today, they showed they are on the right path."
 
Rylan Kissell led the way for the Nanooks, winning the individual scoring with an impressive day-one, 1186. Just behind in second was freshman Sára Karasová with an 1179 in her college-debut. Kellen McAferty also shot an 1179-aggregate while Gavin Barnick followed behind with an 1177. Daniel Enger finished off the top-five with an 1175. Jessica Boyce was the final Nanook in the top-10 with a ninth-place finish and aggregate-score of 1162. 
 
In air rifle, the Nanooks shot a 2376, tying the program-high, previously set on Nov. 23, 2016. Leading the way, again, was Kissell, as the freshman fired-off a 599 score, a new career-high. His 599 is the highest score in the NCAA so far this season. Following Kissell's top-spot finish, the Nanooks took spots three through five. Karasová shot a 593 for third, while Barnick and Enger rounded out the top-five with scores of 593 and 591, respectively. 
 
In smallbore, Kellen McAferty led the way for the Nanooks, as Alaska took 1-5 in the discipline. McAferty shot a 589 with Kissell just behind him, firing-off a 587. Close behind him was Karasová with a 586. Barnick came in with a 584 and Enger took fifth, also shooting a 584. 
 
"Kellen has been working all the positions really diligently and has gotten a lot smarter in how he manages matches, so it was great to see that translate in both guns today. Obviously, we are thrilled that both Sará and Gavin had brilliant starts to their collegiate careers. They both have a great deal of maturity for freshman which allowed them to deal with the nerves…Rylan's air was exceptional. It was extremely deep and shot very methodically. Overall, we are proud of the performance. We are also encouraged by the fact that we saw quite a few areas that need to be cleaned up…To see room for improvement after a day like today is the most exciting part of the performance." Ended Anti on his team's performance. 
 
The Nanooks and Buckeyes shoot again tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 16 at TVSA with the round beginning at 9:00 a.m.
 
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks rifle team, follow @NanooksRife on Twitter or Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks Rifle team page on Facebook.