Full Results (PDF)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Nanooks rifle team completed a two-match sweep of the Citadel Bulldogs on Thursday, Nov. 3. Alaska, the #2-ranked team in the nation, defeated the #19-ranked Citadel 4747-4621.

"Today was a quality team effort with a few individual highlights sprinkled throughout." said head coach Will Anti.  

Young firepower led the way for the Nanooks as the sophomore duo of Rylan Kissell and Sára Karasová took spots one and two. Senior Kellen McAferty took third, graduate-transfer, Peter Fiori took fourth and Rachael Charles took fifth, rounding out the top-five in aggregate. Gavin Barnick finished in sixth. 
 
In the smallbore discipline, the Nanooks outshot the Bulldogs 2366-2285. The 'Nooks took the top seven spots in the individual smallbore standings and were led by Kissell and Fiori, who both posted a 592. Karasová and McAferty took third and fourth, respectively, as the two shot a pair of 591's rounding out the scoring for the 'Nooks. Rachael Charles took fifth with a 590 and Gavin Barnick and Marina Gonzalez Mazo were the final shooters for the 'Nooks as Barnick posted a 584 and Gonzalez Mazo shot a 581. 

"In smallbore we had 5 shooters in the 590s. That's a lot of depth and it spread from a 5th year senior to a freshman in just their second match. I was really proud of Rachael's effort today in smallbore. I think she overcame a lot to produce this match. Certainly she was a bit down after yesterdays performance, but she was very determined today and extremely present throughout the match. To already have one 590 under her belt is fantastic. Rylan cleaned up in standing and Fiori was close behind. Both would've loved a couple points back in slings and fortunately they have another opportunity this weekend." added Anti. 
 
In air rifle, the Nanooks beat the Citadel 2381-2336, completing their aggregate score 4747-4621. Rylan Kissell was the talk of the town as the sophomore shot his third-career 600, becoming the first shooter in NCAA history to shoot three 600's in a career. His last came during the 2021-22 season at the 2022 PRC Championships. Karasová followed in second, firing a 595 and McAferty took third, also firing a 595. James Hart IV of the Bulldogs took fourth, shooting a 594. Fiori, Charles and Barnick rounded out the top-10 finishes for the Nanooks in the individual air rifle standings. Fiori shot a 591, Charles shot a 591 and Barnick shot a 589. 

Anti added more on the air rifle performance by his team today, "In airgun, Rylan stole the show. One 600 is career milestone. Three in collegiate shooting is new territory for the sport. He becomes the first person to ever shoot more than two perfect scores in NCAA history. Equally as important I think the match was validation that the work that he's put in is paying off and allowing him to shoot consistently well wether it's at a World Championship, Collegiate match or a day of practice. He has a lot to be proud of and we are thrilled for him."
 
The Nanooks now travel to Morgantown, W.V. where they'll take part in the Fall Classic, hosted by West Virginia, featuring Alaska, Kentucky, WVU and TCU.

Anti added some final thoughts on whats to come this weekend, "Kellen did a lot of things well in air - I think he also had some good learning moments and reminders which is great as he prepares to represent the USA in the Championship of the Americas in Lima, Peru. Sára as well had a solid day in air, but certainly she wasn't totally satisfied and continues to search for more in that discipline. We're all excited to get to WVU now and see an extremely competitive environment and a great venue that should provide a real test."
 
Those matches will be shot this weekend on Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6. Live targets will be available here – CLICK HERE – Smallbore will be shot on day one, followed by air rifle on day two. 
 
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.