FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks rifle team tallied up the end of year awards as they claimed three individual awards. The Nanooks received these honors following a historic season that ended with a third-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Rifle Championships.
Will Anti, CRCA Head Coach of the Year
Head coach Will Anti was named the 2021-22 CRCA Head Coach of the Year after leading the Nanooks to a 12-0, 4-0 PRC regular-season record. In his second season at the helm, Anti led the Nanooks back to the podium in both guns and in aggregate scoring this season as the Nanooks left Colorado Springs, Colo. with silver in both smallbore and air gun and the bronze trophy for their overall finish. They shot a 4733 to wrap up championships and finish in the top-three for the first time since the 2015 NCAA Rifle Championships. "I'm incredibly grateful to receive the Coach of the Year award. I think if anything it's a reflection of our entire teams efforts this season and last." Said Will Anti on his selection as CRCA Head Coach of the Year.
In his second season, Anti oversaw the Nanooks best outings ever. After breaking the program-record with an aggregate score of 4734 on Oct. 16, 2021 in a win over Ohio State, the Nanooks never looked back. They went on to break their program-record three more times, including a then NCAA record of 4749 on Nov. 14, 2021 at the U.S. Navy Academy. The final record-breaking performance came on Feb. 6 at the Patriot Rifle Conference Championships when the Nanooks shot an aggregate of 4752 to win the PRC Title. The 4752 tied the NCAA record for aggregate scoring and gave the 'Nooks their final program-record outing of the season.
Anti added the value of his surroundings and how helpful their presence has been through the seasons, "The whole group has worked so hard to climb the ranks rapidly. We get it done in our style of shooting and working - and it's lifestyle they have whole heartedly embraced. So, first and foremost I want to thank the team for their continuous work and trust in myself and Coach Loudin. Coach Loudin has been a rock for the team all season - she provides a level and empathetic perspective. She's such a key piece of the equation. I thank her for her support and patience - you need a lot of it to deal with me everyday. Our administrative team lead by Brock Anundson is really what let's Randi and I focus on our mission. Good leadership ensures you leave each conversation or meeting with more energy than you started with and thats what we have in an Athletic Director. Finally, I want to thank the group that's supported me while I support the team. My family has provided unconditional support in what has been a trying year. My former coaches, who are in my opinion the best in the NCAA, Jon Hammond and Soren Butler are always a phone call away to provide guidance and support. And in closing I'd like to thank and dedicate this award to my grandfather, Ray Anti, who won COY in 1996 at Navy. He started the whole family in the sport with my Dad nearly 50 years ago - I'm not sure if we should thank him or begrudge him for that! But there seems to be no escape now!"
Rylan Kissell, CRCA Rifle Athlete of the Year
Freshman shooter, Rylan Kissell was named the 2021-22 CRCA Rifle Athlete of the Year after finishing the season with the highest aggregate average in the NCAA. Kissell, who hails from Denver, Colo., ended the year with an average score of 1188. Alongside leading the NCAA in average aggregate, he also led the way in the smallbore average with an average score of 591.429. On the season, Kissell shot a pair of 596's, the first coming on Oct. 16, 2021 against Ohio State. That same day, Kissell shot an aggregate of 1193, using a 597 in air to lead the way for the Nanooks.
Later in the year, Kissell shot a new career-high aggregate score on two separate occasions. The first of his two 1194's came on Oct. 31, 2021 at the Citadel. Kissell shot a 596 in smallbore, his second during the season while posting a 598 in air. His second 1194 came on Jan. 22. That same day, Kissell shot his first career 600 in air. With his perfect score, he used a 594 in smallbore to shoot a 1194 in the Nanooks' 4749-4714 win over Air Force. To end the season, Kissell ended with an 1189, 1190, 1191 and 1185, finishing the 2022 NCAA Rifle Championships with the sixth-best individual aggregate score of 1185.
On the year, Kissell cracked 1190 on six separate occasions while shooting 1185-1189 on six occasions as well.
"Rylan took what he learned from last season and his experiences with the US Team and brought it all together this season. To be declared the top shooter in the NCAA is remarkable." Said Anti about his top-shooter. "Rylan has been incredibly disciplined this whole season and has really embraced a holistic approach to improvement. Beyond that he has a great attitude, he expects a lot out of himself. At this level you have too. Rylan is phenomenal to coach, he's a sponge. He filters through the information that resonates with him and trusts his own shooting style. We are really proud that he has rightfully been named the athlete of the year and we are proud to have him represent the Nooks."
Sára Karasová, CRCA Rookie of the Year
Fellow freshman, Sára Karasová was named the 2021-22 CRCA Rookie of the Year after finishing the year with the seventh-best aggregate average in the NCAA. Karasová, who joined the Nanooks from Senov, Czech Republic, shot an average aggregate of 1182.929. She held the fifth-best smallbore average in the NCAA, shooting an average of 589. In air, Karasová shot an average of 593.929.
She shot a career-high 1188 on Jan. 23 with a 591 in smallbore and a 597 in air rifle, another career-high.
In air rifle, she posted a 594+ on nine occasions, including a run of four-straight 596+ scores with back-to-back 596's against Air Force followed by a 597 at the PRC Championships and a third 596 against UTEP at the NCAA Qualifier in Fairbanks. Head coach Will Anti mentioned Karasová's impact on the 'Nooks rifle program after taking a leap of faith, "Karasová took a big chance traveling all the way from the Czech Republic to a remote city in the arctic to be coached by someone she had only met over zoom. She rolled the dice on the Nooks and has instantly thrived. She works hard, harder than most anyone I know and is very trusting of the coaches and her teammates. Her impact goes beyond scores and this award really is a testament to her efforts to bring the Nooks to the forefront of NCAA Rifle. We are grateful she took a leap of faith and we now get to call her the rookie of the year and apart of our family."
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.
