FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks rifle program has officially announced its 2026-27 match schedule. Their 2026-27 campaign will include five weekends at home (Patty Center & TVSA) against some of the top teams in the nation. 

The Nanooks will officially open their year at home as they welcome Ohio State for a two-match weekend. Their season opener is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range before shooting against the Buckeyes at TVSA the following day. Alaska faced Ohio State last season in a pair of head-to-head matches and knocked them off in both. The Nanooks hold a 16-match winning streak over OSU. The next week, the 'Nooks will head on the road for their first road tests. They'll face off with the UTEP Miners on Friday, Oct. 23, before facing Nebraska on Sunday, Oct. 25. 

Alaska will take a bye week before returning home for a Nov. 7 tri-match at TVSA. They welcome the University of Akron and Schreiner University for a three-team showdown. Akron returns to Fairbanks for the first time since the 2024-25 season, when the Nanooks defeated them 4727-4713. 

Two weeks later, the Nanooks will welcome Air Force and Kentucky for a two-day tri-meet. Nov. 21-22 will round out the first half of the season with the three teams shooting at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range in the Patty Center on day one and TVSA on day two. West Virginia, the reigning national champions, will come to Fairbanks to open up 2027 and shoot against the 'Nooks Jan. 16-17. They will fire at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range on Jan. 16 before heading across town to TVSA on Jan. 17. Alaska and WVU have not shot head-to-head since Jan. 13, 2023 in Fairbanks. The Nanooks won that top-five showdown 4744-4736 in the E.F. Horton Rifle Range. On Jan. 23-24, the Nanooks will hit the road, facing Air Force and Nebraska for the second time this season. The three teams will shoot in the Air Force Rifle Range on day one before traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo. and shooting at the Olympic Training Center on day two. 

This will lead the Nanooks into their postseason schedule with the Patriot Rifle Conference Championships two weeks later in Lincoln, Neb. at the Nebraska Rifle Range. The PRC Championships will be held Feb. 5-6 with smallbore shooting day one and air rifle on day two. 

Alaska will get one final regular-season match in before their NCAA Qualifier when they host Georgia Southern on Feb. 18. Following the Thursday matchup, the two teams will shoot their NCAA Qualifier inside the Patty Center on Feb. 20. Qualifying teams will then compete at the 2027 NCAA Rifle Championships on March 12-13 in Statesboro, Ga. at Georgia Southern. 

"We are excited about the opportunities this schedule provides our team," said second-year head coach Randi Loudin. "We open the season at home against Ohio State before heading to UTEP and Nebraska the following weekend. One thing that stands out about this year's schedule is that over half of our matches include three teams or more, allowing our athletes to compete against a variety of opponents and creating a different competitive atmosphere each weekend. We also look forward to spending more time competing here in Fairbanks. Between the E.F. Horton Rifle Range and TVSA, this schedule gives us a good balance of travel, competition, and NCAA qualifying opportunities. It should be a fun and busy season, and we're excited to welcome the Fairbanks community back to the range to support the Nanooks throughout the year."

The 2026-27 schedule can be viewed HERE.

Match times, promotions, and more will be announced at a later date. 

Follow the 'Nooks
IG - @NanooksRifle
X - @NanooksRifle
FB - Alaska Nanooks Rifle