FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks celebrated a trio of seniors at their NCAA Qualifier against the UTEP Miners at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range on Saturday, Feb. 19.
In aggregate scoring, the Nanooks grabbed the win over UTEP, posting a 4740-4604 victory. The Nanooks took the top seven spots in the individual aggregate finish with Rylan Kisell leading the way with a top-score of 1191. Sara Karasova took second with an aggregate of 1183.
Gavin Barnick (1181),
Daniel Enger (1180),
Kellen McAferty (1177) and
Jessica Boyce (1169) rounded out the 3-6 finishes.
"Today was a perfect test for the team and we were really pleased with the results." said head coach
Will Anti, "In the last two weeks we've done a lot of experimenting and changing. This match showed us what is working and what needs further adjustment. Each person left with a clear to do list of what we need to tackle next week. As a coach that's exactly what you are looking for in this match."
In the opening relay, the Nanooks sent their five counters to the line.
Gavin Barnick,
Daniel Enger, Sara Karasova,
Rylan Kissell and
Kellen McAferty led the way. In the smallbore discipline, the Nanooks outshot UTEP 2361-2284. Kissell led the way with a 594. Karasova followed with a 591. Barnick also shot a 591, taking third and Enger rounded out the Nanooks scoring with a 585. Anti added this about his team's smallbore performance, "Rylan had a sensational standing today leading to a great smallbore result and another strong air rifle. He made a lot of tweaks in smallbore this week - he really trusted the changes he made and allowed himself to perform naturally. Karasova fought really hard today all day - the smallbore result was nice, the airgun comeback in the last 30 was equally satisfying. Gavin put together another good smallbore day - all around he was disciplined in each position."
In air, it was Kissell again, leading the way with a 597. His top-score was followed by Enger's 595.
Kellen McAferty joined Enger with a 595 of his own. Karasova grabbed the final scoring slot for Alaska, shooting a 592. The 'Nooks shot a 2379 in the air rifle discipline. UTEP posted a 2320. Anti praised Enger's air rifle performance today and his constant resiliency, "Daniel's air rifle was a huge highlight for me. He has been working diligently in air - that is an understatement probably. He is excited about the improvement as are we and we know that we are on the right track as we continue to adjust. Kellen also had a huge comeback in air. He could've easily let it go off the rails but he was resilient and scrapped out a great score."
The Nanooks celebrated three seniors,
Jessica Boyce,
Daniel Enger and
Andrew Pham.
Anti had a lot to say about his senior class, not only about their performances on the points, but as teammates and in life, "Finally it was a fun day celebrating our three seniors. They all shot well - their final match shot at home was a 10. It's a group of seniors we have loved to watch evolve, struggle, persist and most of all uplift one another and their teammates in their collegiate journey. None started out as nooks but I'm a firm believer you end up where you are meant to be even if it's a winding path to get there. All have and will continue to leave a mark on this program and are major pieces of the puzzle that have led the nooks to our current standing."
Alaska now awaits the results of the NCAA Rifle Championships Selection Show.
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.
