Nebraska Rifle Defeats Ohio State, Qualifies for NCAA Championships

by ethan.brook News Editor

Columbus, Ohio – The No. 2 Nebraska rifle team delivered a dominant performance Saturday, defeating No. 12 Ohio State 4,744-4,682 in an NCAA Qualifier match. The result represents half of the criteria for qualifying for the NCAA Championships, with the final determination factoring in the average of Nebraska’s top three team scores from this season.

Nebraska’s qualifying score currently stands at 9495.33, calculated from this weekend’s match combined with previous scores of 4,758 (recorded at the PRC Championships on February 7-8, 2026), 4,749 (at Army on October 25, 2025), and 4,747 (at TCU on November 1, 2025). The Huskers showcased remarkable consistency across both smallbore and air rifle disciplines, securing a decisive victory on the road.

Huskers Dominate Individual Standings

The Nebraska team’s strength was evident in the individual results, with four Huskers finishing in the top five overall. Carley Seabrooke led all shooters with an impressive aggregate score of 1,189. Katlyn Sullivan and Emma Rhode followed closely behind, both achieving scores of 1,187, with the tiebreaker determined by the number of 10-point shots. Alivia Perkins rounded out the top five, posting a score of 1,180.

Strong Performances in Both Disciplines

Nebraska’s success wasn’t limited to a single discipline. The Huskers excelled in smallbore, claiming the top four spots and achieving a team score of 2,355. Seabrooke and Sullivan again led the way, scoring 592 and 590 respectively. Rhode secured third place with a score of 587, while Maddy Moyer finished closely behind in fourth with 586. Perkins (585) and Camilla Johannessen (575) also contributed to the team’s strong showing.

The air rifle competition saw similar dominance from Nebraska, with a team score of 2,389 and four shooters occupying the top four positions. Rhode delivered a standout performance, achieving a perfect score of 600 – only the second time in school history a Husker has reached that mark. Sullivan and Seabrooke both scored 597, while Perkins added a 595 to the team total. Moyer (592) and Johannessen (582) completed the lineup.

Coach Clark Praises Team Resilience

Head Coach Richard Clark expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, acknowledging a slight initial struggle. “I’m happy with how the team performed today,” Clark said. “Out of the gates we struggled to control the moment drifting from our fundamentals but bounced back well once we got on our feet. It was great to see Emma lead the way in air rifle firing her second 600 of the year! It was also fun watching Carley and Katlyn continue their strong performances this spring. As we get back to the range next week we will continue to build on the lessons we learned today in preparation for NCAA Championships.”

Looking Ahead to the NCAA Championships

The NCAA Championships selection show is scheduled for Monday, February 23, at 5 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast live on ncaa.com. Should they qualify, the championships themselves will be held in Columbus, Ohio, on March 13-14, marking a return to the site of this weekend’s qualifying match. The Huskers will use the coming week to refine their skills and prepare for the challenges ahead as they aim for a strong showing at the national level.

Share your thoughts on the Huskers’ performance and their championship aspirations in the comments below.

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