Top teams, individuals ready to go

Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks

Noting UAF:  The Nanooks are aiming for another national title after winning 10 national championships since 1994, including nine in the past 13 years. UAF finished sixth at the 2011 championships and returns three of its shooters from the NCAA meet, although it will need to replace a pair of top-three scorers in Cody Rutter and Aaron Holsopple. Alaska-Fairbanks entered 2011 as the No. 1-ranked team in the preseason Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll. UAF returns a pair of second-team All-Americans in Cole Bures (smallbore) and Anna Hjelmevoll (air rifle) to aid the cause.

Kentucky Wildcats

Noting UK: Henri Junghanel and Emily Holsopple return after garnering first-team All-America honors last year in air rifle while leading Kentucky to its first overall team title in program history. The duo also has the luxury of having two other second-team All-Americans back including Heather Greathouse (smallbore) and Ethan Settlemires (air rifle). Together, they were the top four scorers for the Wildcats at last year’s championships. The Wildcats also add Aaron Holsopple, Emily’s brother who was the third-leading scorer for Alaska-Fairbanks’ sixth-place team effort at the NCAA meet last year. UK was second in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Texas Christian Horned Frogs

Noting TCU: TCU won the national title in 2010 and placed third last year. The Horned Frogs are third in the preseason CRCA poll as they return all five scorers from the 2011 NCAA Championships, the only top-five finisher with every shooter back. A former individual national champion (2010 smallbore), Sarah Scherer will again lead the way after being one of only four shooters to earn first-team All-America honors in both smallbore and air rifle a year ago. She is one of three returning first-team All-Americans for the Horned Frogs, along with Caitlin Morrissey (air rifle) and Sarah Beard (smallbore).   

Others to Watch:  Kelly Buck, Army (Sr.); Dempster Christenson, Nevada (Sr.); Andrea Dardas, Jacksonville State (Sr.); Kyle Donnan, Murray State (Jr.); Amanda J. Furrer, Ohio State (Jr.); Alix Moncada, UTEP (Sr.); Sam Muegge, Jacksonville State (So.); Ashley Rose, Murray State (Sr.).

Nov. 1 — Alaska-Fairbanks at TCU — Forth Worth, Texas

Nov. 12 — Kentucky, Murray State, Ohio State – Columbus, Ohio

Nov. 12 — Mississippi at West Virginia – Morgantown, W.Va.

Nov. 19 — TCU at Army — West Point, N.Y.

Nov. 20 – Kentucky at Alaska-Fairbanks — Fairbanks, Alaska  

Feb. 4 — Kentucky at West Virginia — Morgantown, W.Va.

Feb. 16 — Alaska-Fairbanks, Jacksonville State, Nebraska – Fairbanks, Alaska 

Feb. 16 – Air Force at TCU — Fort Worth, Texas