T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o

2005-06 Nebraska Rifle Media & Recruiting Guide

T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k aT h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a T h e r e i s N o

2005-06 Nebraska Rifle Media & Recruiting Guide

T h e r e i s N o P l a c e L i k e N e b r a s k a

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Pronunciation GuideKim Chrostowski ......................Croe-stou-skeeAndrea Franzén...........Ann-DREY-a FRAN-zenEva Richert ................................. E-fa RYE-kertKirsten Weiss ........................ KEER-sten WICELauni Meili ..............................LAW-nee MY-lee

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Huskers Strive for Consistency in Title Pursuit2005-06 Nebraska Rifle RosterName Year Hometown (H.S./Previous SchoolMisty Chanek Sr. Ganado, Texas (Ganado/Tennessee Tech)Kim Chrostowski So. Rockville, R.I. (Portsmouth)Kristina Fehlings Jr. Fairfax, Va. (James W. Robinson)Andrea Franzen So. Ostersung, Sweden (Hjalmar Stomer)Katie Harrington So. New Richmond, Wis. (Bartram Trail)Eva Richert So. Kassel, Germany (Friedrich-List)Stacy Underwood Jr. Anaheim, Calif. (Troy/Fullerton College)Kirsten Weiss So. Cornwell, Pa. (New Covenant)

4 :: 2005-06 Season Outlook

The roster of the 2005-06 Nebraska rifle team might be the same as last season, but for the eight individuals who comprise it, this year presents a completely different opportunity. After spending half of the 2004-05 campaign with only a partial lineup, the Huskers are excited to take on a new season with a full crew, and Head Coach Launi Meili expects the group to push toward its ultimate goal of an NCAA title. “I think this team definitely knows itself very well,” Meili said. “They know their strengths and they know where they need to work and support each other. Now that we’ve got so much more experience behind us, we’re ready to take it to the next level.” That level for the Huskers is the one that has eluded them for seven years: an NCAA Team Championship. After finishing the 2004-05 season with a 9-1 record and earning a conference title, Nebraska finished third at the NCAA Championships, tying the program’s highest finish in history. With so many highly respected accomplishments, it is hard to believe the Huskers are still striving for more. An NCAA team title has always been Nebraska’s goal and Meili explains that in order to achieve it, her program will have to focus on remaining consistent. “If you’re shooting 20 to 30 points different each match like we had a tendency to do last season, then you’re having to work on a scattering of things,” Meili said. “When you become more consistent, then you can hone in on what needs tweeking and make changes.” Leading the team this season is lone senior Misty Chanek, a two-time NRA All-American in both smallbore and air rifle. Chanek has finished as high as 10th nationally in both disciplines over the last three seasons, and Meili looks for this year to be Chanek’s opportunity to make a run for an individual title. “Misty shot some very big scores last season. She’s very confident when she shoots and she’s very consistent,” Meili said. “She certainly has the ability to win a national title.” Joining Chanek in the hunt for national honors are junior Kristina Fehlings and sophomore Andrea Franzén. Fehlings, the 2005 Great America Rifle Conference Shooter of the Year, has garnered numerous All-America accolades over the past two seasons and is on pace to become one of Nebraska’s most highly decorated shooters. Franzén, one of two international competitors on the Nebraska roster, exploded onto the U.S. collegiate scene during her freshman year, garnering CRCA All-America status and finishing second overall nationally in air rifle. A native of Sweden, Franzén attended a high school that specialized in rifle training and thus brings a heightened level of intensity to the NU roster. Although she has spent just one semester with the Huskers, her performance indicates that she too could make a legitimate run at a national title. Not only are Chanek, Fehlings and Franzén expected to make strides as individuals, Meili says she’s also excited to see the dynamic that develops between them as teammates. “Misty, Kristina and Andrea push each other very hard,” Meili said.

“All of those girls have the potential to win so I’m very excited to see what kind of chemistry that creates. Last year they were starting to tap into it, and now I think they really believe it’s there.” Nebraska’s other international influence comes from sophomore Eva Richert, a native

of Germany who brought depth to the air rifle lineup in 2005. This season, Meili expects Richert to become a major contributor in both events and looks for her to finish in the top four nationally in either event. “Eva has a lot of natural talent,” Meili said. “She takes to situations very quickly and brings that international flavor for some good interaction on the team.” Another bright spot in the NU lineup will be junior Kim Chrostowski. Chrostowski is a current member of the Championship of America’s Team and will represent the United States in the CAT Championships in Puerto Rico in November. This interaction with some of the best talent in the world could give Chrostowski the confidence she needs to become a major force on the team. She has already tasted success at the 2004-05 NCAA Championships, where she was named an NRA All-American in air rifle. “Kim’s work ethic is very high,” Meili said. “She’s already starting to see her work at the international level pay off, and I think she’ll use that to push for a top spot this season.” Rounding out Nebraska’s impressive field is junior Stacy Underwood and sophomores Katie Harrington and Kirsten Weiss. Underwood led the Huskers in 2004-05 as the team captain and shot most of the season as an individual. Still a relatively young competitor, her time as team captain has increased her familiarity with the program and allowed her to battle for a spot among Nebraska’s top four. The same theory applies to both Harrington and Weiss. Although both are relatively young in terms of experience, each spent the offseason working at both the national and international levels, which should put them in prime positions to help the Huskers this season. Harrington spent her summer working with Juniors from around the nation as a coach for the Civilian Marksmanship Program and through this organization participated in camps all over the country. Her diverse training regiment could give her an added source of confidence and allow her an opportunity to make the most of her sophomore year with Nebraska. Weiss, a gifted air rifle competitor who found success early in the 2004-05 season, continued to develop her abilities during the offseason as a member of the National Development team. This experience, coupled with Weiss’ intuitive feel for the sport, could bolster her chances at becoming a major player in Nebraska’s overall strategy. “Kirsten has an innate understanding as a shooter,” Meili said. “She’s very passionate about it, and I can’t wait to see how she progresses because she’s already a consistent shooter. I’m sure I’ll see her scores rise this season.” The Huskers begin their season with their usual two-match home stand at the Nebraska Rifle Range against Air Force. The bulk of Nebraska’s season focuses on matches against perennial opponents Air Force, Army and Alaska-Fairbanks before possibly culminating next April with a run at the NCAA Championships.::

Date Opponent Location TimeOct. 22-23 Air Force NU Rifle Range 8 a.m.Nov. 5 Ole Miss at Oxford, Miss. 8 a.m.Nob. 6 Memphis at Memphis, Tenn. 8 a.m.Nov. 19 Kentucky NU Rifle Range 8 a.m.Dec. 3 UMKC NU Rifle Range 8 a.m.Jan. 14 Army at West Point, N.Y. 7 a.m.Jan. 16 Palmyra/ at Palmyra, Pa. 7 a.m. West VirginiaFeb. 11 NCAA Sectional at Colorado Springs, Colo. 9 a.m.Feb. 12 NCAA Qualifier at Colorado Springs, Colo. 9 a.m.Feb. 25-26 GARC Champs. at Oxford, Miss. 8 a.m.Mar. 10-11 NCAA Champs. at Colorado Springs, Colo. 9 a.m.

2005-06 Nebraska Rifle Schedule