Full Results

FAIRBANKS - The #2-ranked Alaska Nanooks rifle team opened up the 2022-23 season with a historic win over #8-ranked Ohio State. The 'Nooks shot their best season-opening score in program history, posting a 4751-4694 win. 

"Today was a really solid opener for the season." Said head coach Will Anti, "We never know exactly what to expect when the gates open at that first match of the season and today was a pleasant surprise in many ways. Certainly we knew the group was capable of this performance but I didn't think it would be this early. We really haven't hit our stride yet in practice and I think we are doing quite a bit of position tinkering so you never know exactly how that will translate in the early stages of the season."

Newcomer, Peter Fiori, shined on his first day with the Nanooks as he led the way with an aggregate score of 1191, a new career-high. "Peter was a highlight reel in smallbore - especially in standing. His performance was world class and he hung really tough in standing and closed a huge match. You need someone to have a day like that in smallbore to put up that type of team score. It was a fun Nanook debut." Added Anti. Four Nanooks joined Fiori in the top-five as they swept the top finishers. Gavin Barnick took second with an aggregate score of 1186. Rylan Kissell also shot an 1186, taking third-place. Kellen McAferty picked up fourth with an 1185 and Sára Karasová finished the top-five with an 1184. 

In smallbore, the Nanooks outshot the Buckeyes 2366-2340. 

Alaska took five of the top six positions with Peter Fiori posting a career-high 596 to lead the way. Barnick followed with a 592, McAferty shot a 589 and Karasová followed in fourth with a 589. Tyler Hanson grabbed fifth-place for OSU and Rylan Kissell rounded out the top-five Nanooks with a 587. 

In air, Kissell shined, shooting a 599 to complete his 1186. Kellen McAferty followed closely behind with a 596 and Peter Fiori shot a 595. Karasová and Barnick rounded out the top-five for the Nanooks with a 595 and 594, respectively. Anti was proud of his team's performance in air, "Equally Rylan's air was impressive. It was one of the highest inner ten counts I've seen. His training has been really limited, so today was sheer willpower and grit which he has a lot of fortunately. I was really proud of Sára's comeback in airgun - that match could've easily gotten away from her but she shot a lot more authentically on the back half and rallied. Gavin had a great smallbore after a little hiccup in the starting block in kneeling. Both showed a lot of maturity and poise."

The Nanooks and Ohio State are back in action the morning of Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:00 p.m. in the E.F. Horton Rifle Range in the Patty Center. 

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