FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Alaska Nanooks rifle team hosts UTEP on Saturday, Feb. 20 for an official NCAA Qualifier. The 'Nooks find themselves #5 in the current CRCA rankings while UTEP comes in unranked.
Last Time Out
After the team decided to opt-out of the 2021 PRC Championships, the Nanooks will be competing this weekend for the first time since Jan. 23-24 when they hosted the Air Force Academy. On day one versus the Falcons, the Nanooks impressed with a 4700-4687 victory. The next day, the 'Nooks put up their second-best score with a 4720 in their 4720-4683 win over AF. The 'Nooks ended their regular season 5-3, 2-2 PRC and enter the qualifier looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships as a team once again.
Top Five Shooters Last Time Out
Rank Name Agg. Score
1
Rylan Kissell 1185
2
Daniel Enger 1182
3
Liam Eberhart 1181
6
Jessica Boyce 1168
8
Kellen McAferty 1163
UTEP
UTEP finds themselves winless on the 2020-21 season, having faced-off with Jacksonville State, TCU, Air Force and Akron. They competed in the PRC Championships on Feb. 6-7 and shot a 4552. This will be the first time the 'Nooks see UTEP in-person as the Miners trip on Nov. 14-15 was canceled due to COVID-19 worries. Last season, the Nanooks took care of UTEP in all three head-to-head matchups and also shot better than the Miners on Feb. 22, 2020 in El Paso, Texas at an NCAA Qualifier.
No Fans
Due to COVID-19, the Nanooks rifle team and administration have announced that no fans or spectators will be permitted at any home events. All pre and postgame interviews will be held via Zoom. All media members must get in touch with the Alaska Nanooks Sports Information Office or Building Maintenance for interview availability and access.
Senior Night
This Saturday, the Nanooks will recognize their three seniors.
Haley Castillo of Albuquerque, N.M., and
Liam Eberhart of Fairbanks, Alaska and
Morgan Erickson of Powell, Wyo. The Nanooks will post a prerecorded video of their pregame festivities to their social media accounts.
What's to Come
This weekend will be the last home match of the year for Alaska. Following their NCAA Qualifier, the 'Nooks will wait and see if they've qualified for the NCAA Rifle Championships. The NCAA selection show will follow, but a date and time for the show is yet to be set.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks rifle team, follow @NanooksRifle on Twitter or Instagram, or like the Alaska Nanooks Rifle team page on Facebook.
