Lincoln, NE – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Huskers, ranked No. 4 nationally, opened their collegiate rifle season with a commanding performance against the No. 15 University of Akron Zips. Competing on their home range, Nebraska delivered a formidable challenge, ultimately securing the victory with a total team score of 4743 against Akron’s 4673.
The Huskers’ aggregate score of 4743 was particularly significant, marking the seventh-highest team score in their program’s history. This early season showing underscores Nebraska's strong positioning within the collegiate rifle landscape, setting a high bar for their competitive campaign.
For the Akron Zips, the season opener presented a tough test against a top-tier opponent. Despite the team's overall standing, several Akron shooters delivered noteworthy individual performances, particularly in the smallbore discipline. Senior Logan McClimans distinguished himself by firing a solid 584, securing a fifth-place overall finish and improving his career best by a full two points. This consistent performance against elite competition highlights McClimans' developing command of the discipline. Joining him in breaking into the competitive 580s was sophomore Kathleen Moran, who posted an impressive 581 in smallbore.
In the air rifle discipline, freshman Madison “Maddie” Allen emerged as a key performer for Akron. Allen led the squad by breaking into the 590s, recording a remarkable 592 out of 600 shots and finishing sixth overall individually. Her ability to deliver such a high-caliber performance as a freshman suggests significant potential for the Zips moving forward. Sophomore Matthew Kimball also contributed a strong 589, while Moran added a 588, and McClimans rounded out Akron’s top four with a 586. These collective efforts helped the Zips achieve a team air rifle score of 2355.
While Akron’s individual talent was on display, the match's top individual aggregate score was claimed by Nebraska's Carley Seabrooke, who posted an outstanding 1189-87X across both disciplines. Such high-X counts are indicative of exceptional precision and consistency under match pressure, a benchmark for competitive shooters at any level.
With this demanding season opener behind them, the Akron Zips now look ahead to their only home contest of the semester. They are scheduled to host the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy on Saturday, October 3. The match is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Marksmanship Training Facility in Schrank Hall South. For those unable to attend in person, the match will be livestreamed, with targets available to view in real-time online. This upcoming match provides Akron with another opportunity to refine their form and build momentum as they progress through the first half of their 2026-27 season.
