Results (PDF)

EL PASO, Texas - The Alaska Nanooks rifle team defeated the UTEP Miners in their 2023 NCAA Qualifier. They shot a 4731 while UTEP posted a 4557. 

In the aggregate, Gavin Barnick led the way with a score of 1186. Rachael Charles followed with an 1186 of her own. Sára Karasová was the third-best shooter on the day posting an 1182; Rylan Kissel ltook fourth with an 1181 and Kellen McAferty rounded out the top-five with an 1174. Peter Fiori and Tobias Bernhoft-Osa were the final Nanooks, placing sixth and seventh with scores of 1173 and 1171. 

"Today was a tale of two matches I'd say." Said head coach Will Anti, "Smallbore was rough, we have really been making a lot of changes and I think today showed some of the growing pains that accompany that. It's part of the process of long term improvement, it's a tough reality, but I was proud of the team's reaction. They were very motivated after smallbore."

In smallbore, the same top seven in aggregate took places 1-7 in smallbore. Alaska posted a score of 2343 in the discipline, outshooting UTEP 2343-2246. Barnick and Charles shot a pair of 589's for the top-two spots. Karasová followed in third with a 585. Kissell and McAferty followed in fourth and fifth with scores of 583 and 582. Fiori and Bernhoft-Osa rounded out the Nanooks shooters in sixth and seventh with scores of 577 and 575. 

In air rifle, the Nanooks had a solid day. They posted a 2388 in the discipline, outshooting the Miners 2388-2311. Rylan Kissell continued his strong air rifle shooting with a discipline high 598. Barnick, Charles and Karasová followed with a 597. Fiori and Bernhoft-Osa followed in sixth and seventh  with scores of 596 and 592. 

"In air, they were very determined. They found another gear and really dug in and performed. They were extremely intentional in the approach and execution. Gavin and Rachael really shot well in both guns. They have really been working extremely hard in practice with a lot of intensity and it showed today. Sára also had a season high in airgun today. It's been a big journey this semester and her patience has been incredible. Finally, Tobias was the highlight today. Air was a heroic effort. He has really overcome a lot this year to perform like this at a high caliber match. He should be really proud of the effort." Added Anti. 

The Nanooks now prepare for the 2023 NCAA Rifle Championships in Akron, Ohio on March 10-11, 2023. 

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.