Air Force Academy

Jan. 23, 2004

In the first ever NCAA rifle competition on electronic targets records fell everywhere. The Air Force Falcons hosted a round robin set of matches with Alaska Fairbanks, UTEP and Nebraska. Each school had multiple team and personal records fall as the sport experienced what will prove to be the future of college rifle shooting. In the series of matches, Air Force went 0-3 against what are proving to be three of the top teams in the nation. Alaska Fairbanks continues to dominate the sport again this year posting scores that easily eclipsed the other three schools.

Jan. 9, the Nanooks of Alaska posted an astonishing 4758/4800 besting their previous school record of 4757. The Nanooks defeated UTEP, who shot a 4649/4800, which was also a school record for them. Nebraska was also on the line when Misty Chanek shot a personal best of 1184/1200.

On Jan. 10, Air Force joined the record-setting trend while unfortunately falling to Alaska and Nebraska. Sophomore Chris Hill was the highest Falcon with a personal record and school record of 1179/1200 downing the previous school record of 1178 set by Robin Orth, class of 1996. On the way to the record 1179, Hill shot a 399 prone, 381 standing and a school record 399 in kneeling. Team captain, senior, Jason Waldow shot an 1145/1200, which was also his personal best. Sophomore Tim Siemer missed his personal best of 1152/1200 when he shot an 1143/1200. The Air Force team total of 4581/4800, while not enough to beat Alaska or Nebraska was the best team total of the year.

"Our team makes the best gains in January and February of each year. We are on track to being ready for the NCAA qualifier in February," head coach Justin Broughton said.

On Jan. 11, Waldow continued the record setting streak by shooting a personal best of 1148/1200, besting his day prior score of 1145. Hill was the highest AFA shooter with an 1175/1200. Alaska also shot a stage score that had never been shot in NCAA rifle: All four of their team members shot a perfect 400/400 in the prone position.

The higher than normal scores are a result of being able to shoot on the electronic targets that do not require the shooters to move at all during each stage. On paper targets, the shooters have to move at least 20 times for 20 shots. Each time they move, error can be introduced in to their positions. In addition to the advantage of not having to move, the shooters scores and shot placement are automatically calculated and displayed for them on their own monitors. There is no question on the score value or wondering what their total score is. The Academy is the first and currently only school in the NCAA to have the systems up and running.