Nebraska native Mahloch achieves lifetime goal of shooting for Huskers

Sheena Mahloch, like 79.6 percent of University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduates, is a Nebraska native.

But the home state she shares with so much of the university is unique on the rifle team. The sophomore from Plymouth is the only member of the eight-person squad from the Cornhusker State. For Mahloch, being on the rifle team is the realization of a long-standing dream.

"It means a lot to me to shoot for Nebraska," she said. "Every kid in Nebraska probably wants to be a Husker."

Mahloch's shooting career began as a third grader when she wanted to go pheasant hunting with her father. Before she was allowed in the field, her dad enrolled her in a safety class through the local 4-H. She excelled so much in the class that the instructor suggested she join the club's shooting team, which she did.

A couple years later, Mahloch and the rest of the team were paid a visit by Rachel Spiry.

A Nebraska native herself, Spiry was one of four founding members of the Husker rifle team back in 1998. She told Mahloch and her teammates that, if they stuck with the sport, they too might one day shoot for Nebraska. Mahloch, in fifth grade at the time, was intrigued by the possibility of becoming a Husker, but unconvinced of how realistic the idea was.

"It was something in the back of my mind," she said. "But I didn't know if it was possible."

With the ambitious goal of one day being a Cornhusker, Mahloch continued to progress as a shooter. She started with BB guns and advanced to air rifles, smallbore rifles and trapshooting. In 2006, she helped lead her 4-H team to the state championship in .22-caliber rifle silhouette shooting.

A few years later, her dream was realized when coach Morgan Hicks offered her a spot on the team. Now, the Tri-County High School graduate is a sophomore on the squad she grew up admiring.

"Sheena is a great asset to the team," Hicks said. "She has a lot of pride for the university. She's grown up around it."

And with teammates from far-off locales like Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Oklahoma, Mahloch's local roots have made her the team's de facto ambassador of the state. She said she's helped teammates with everything from finding the best radio stations to adjusting to the winter weather.

"I always just kind of answer their questions," she said.

Going to college so close to home has also allowed Mahloch's family to support her and the rest of the team at home matches. Her parents, uncles and aunts all make a point of attending competitions.

"It's really special that I can have my parents there," Mahloch said.

Teammate Katie Kostal said that having Mahloch's family on hand provides extra motivation, referring to them as the team's "Nebraska family."

Mahloch, who shot a personal best of 577 on the air rifle this year against West Virginia, is beginning to see her career come full circle. Whereas she was once the young girl admiring an in-state member of UNL's rifle team, Mahloch said she might be becoming a role model for young shooters in Nebraska.

The future looks bright for Mahloch, a criminal justice major and two-time member of the Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. She said her goal for the next two years is simply to do her best and help the team as much as she can.