LIMA, Peru – The Alaska Nanooks rifle team is sending two representatives to Lima, Peru for the Junior World Champions. The duo of freshman,
Gavin Barnick and sophomore,
Rylan Kissell will represent Team USA.
"We are excited that Rylan [Kissell] and Gavin [Barnick] have this tremendous opportunity to represent Team USA and the University of Alaska Fairbanks at the Junior World Championships." Said head coach
Will Anti, "This team is comprised of only the top shooters in the country; being named to it is a huge accomplishment. Leading up to the event, they have been diligent and very methodical with their training. They packed a lot of work into that first month of school and have set themselves up well to be able to perform in Lima."
Shooting will start Wednesday, Sept. 29 with the 10-meter air rifle junior men at 5:15 a.m. with both shooting. If either qualify, they will shoot in the Finals of the 10-meter air on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6:15 a.m. Kissell will participate in the 10-meter air rifle mixed junior team on Friday, Oct. 1 at 6:00 a.m. Following his participation in the mixed team's event, Kissell will join Barnick in the 10-meter air rifle men's junior team at 12:30 p.m. This event is new at the Junior World Championships.
If qualified, Kissell will shoot in the 10-meter air rifle mixed junior team final. Potentially, Barnick and Kissell could also shoot in the air rifle men's junior team final following the mixed final.
On Oct. 3, Barnick and Kissell will participate in one event, the 50-meter rifle prone junior mens at 8:30 a.m. The next day, the two will shoot in the 50-meter three-position junior men's at 6:15 a.m. They could potentially shoot in the final that same day, if qualified. Their final duo event is the 50-meter team junior men's team at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 6. They'll have a chance to participate in the final the following day. Kissell will end the trip with a 5:30 a.m. start in the 50-meter three position mixed team.
"It's a great sign for our program to have a Freshman and Sophomore named Worlds Team. Rylan and Gavin both have lofty long-term aspirations in the sport and a match of this caliber is great experience and a major stepping stone toward their long-term goals. Furthermore, this will be a great kickoff for their collegiate seasons and will equip them with a lot of tools they'll be able to draw upon for the rest of the season and into the NCAA Championship." said Anti.
The Nanooks rifle season officially begins Oct. 15 at home when they host the Ohio State Buckeyes at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range.
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.
