2008 Woodie Awards
Rifle team optimistic about weekend challenges
Kat Ladwig
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports
The Nebraska rifle team lost its first home match in nearly three months last Saturday, falling to TCU 4,641-4,627.
Despite the loss, three Cornhuskers shot their personal bests. Leading the way was senior Kirsten Weiss, who won smallbore with a score of 583. Sophomore Christine Costello was next in line in the category, shooting a season-high 579.
In air rifle, sophomore Amanda Jeffries led the Huskers with her personal-best 587 mark. Freshman Elisha Lafond held fifth place overall with a 585, while Costello was right behind her with a 584 score.
"It feels great to have it all come together in a match," Costello said. "We've all been making adjustments and focusing more on technique, which also makes the mental game better."
Concentration has been important of late for the Huskers, who have had a discouraging 2007-08 season. The team is 1-5 and had a second-place finish at a triangular meet against NC State and Army.
"We've had a frustrating year so far and a rough week coming off those low scores from two weeks ago," said NU Coach Morgan Hicks. "But even though we lost, I'm very pleased with our team performance."
One concern on Hicks' mind is freshman Ryann McGough, who has been coping with reoccurring back problems. Hicks said back issues are the most common injury in rifle. McGough has been working with trainers for several months to correct it, but they haven't pinpointed the cause yet. With the qualifier coming up in mid-February, McGough is trying to treat the pain as if it weren't there.
"Ryann is dong better, she really is tough," Hicks said. "She's very determined to fight through the pain, and she will come out ahead."
As for the team, the women will take on Ole Miss on Saturday, followed by Memphis on Sunday. Both matches will occur in Oxford, Miss.
Hicks said the Huskers should do well since they've been scoring higher than both opponents all year.
"These are teams we know we can beat," Costello said. "We just have to keep the intensity up, build off of each other's energy and come away with the win."
katladwig@dailynebraskan.com
Despite the loss, three Cornhuskers shot their personal bests. Leading the way was senior Kirsten Weiss, who won smallbore with a score of 583. Sophomore Christine Costello was next in line in the category, shooting a season-high 579.
In air rifle, sophomore Amanda Jeffries led the Huskers with her personal-best 587 mark. Freshman Elisha Lafond held fifth place overall with a 585, while Costello was right behind her with a 584 score.
"It feels great to have it all come together in a match," Costello said. "We've all been making adjustments and focusing more on technique, which also makes the mental game better."
Concentration has been important of late for the Huskers, who have had a discouraging 2007-08 season. The team is 1-5 and had a second-place finish at a triangular meet against NC State and Army.
"We've had a frustrating year so far and a rough week coming off those low scores from two weeks ago," said NU Coach Morgan Hicks. "But even though we lost, I'm very pleased with our team performance."
One concern on Hicks' mind is freshman Ryann McGough, who has been coping with reoccurring back problems. Hicks said back issues are the most common injury in rifle. McGough has been working with trainers for several months to correct it, but they haven't pinpointed the cause yet. With the qualifier coming up in mid-February, McGough is trying to treat the pain as if it weren't there.
"Ryann is dong better, she really is tough," Hicks said. "She's very determined to fight through the pain, and she will come out ahead."
As for the team, the women will take on Ole Miss on Saturday, followed by Memphis on Sunday. Both matches will occur in Oxford, Miss.
Hicks said the Huskers should do well since they've been scoring higher than both opponents all year.
"These are teams we know we can beat," Costello said. "We just have to keep the intensity up, build off of each other's energy and come away with the win."
katladwig@dailynebraskan.com
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