Rifle opens season with road victory over NC State

October 8, 2012

University Relations

Jamie Foland
474-6807

The Alaska Nanooks rifle team opened their 2012-13 season in winning fashion, defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack 4,622 to 4,599 on Saturday afternoon.

The Nanooks outshot NC State 2,296-2,278 in smallbore and was five points better than the Wolfpack in air rifle, edging them 2,326-2,321.

Rookie Tim Sherry led the way for the Blue and Gold in small bore with a 582, trailing NC State's Maddy Pike match-high of 585. Nanook sophomore Ryan Anderson shot the third best score on the day with a 574, while rookie Soren Butler was fourth with a 573. Unfortunately for the Nanooks, Butler was not among the scoring shooters for the day's event.

Alaska junior Michael Liuzza fired a 571, while senior Cole Bures shot a 569 and sophomore Mats Eriksson put up a 565.

In air rifle, Bures led the way with a 585, but was edged by Pike's 586 for top scorer honors on the day. Liuzza (non-starter) and Anderson were close behind Bures with 583 and 582, respectively. Sherry registered a 580, Eriksson a 579 and Butler a 575.

"It was a bit of a rough day today and there were some jitters that showed," said Alaska head coach Dan Jordan. "They're shooting for every one else right now. They're worried about what I think and what their parents thing and they're worried about six months from now. We had a good meeting after the match and I'm anxious to see what they'll do tomorrow (against Nebraska)."

Alaska continues its competition on the road with a match against host Nebraska tomorrow at 8 a.m. Central Time.