News-Miner Editorial
Perfect 10s
Nanooks continue NCAA rifle domination
Published Thursday, March 20, 2008
Since the NCAA Rifle Championships began in 1980, shooters from the University of Alaska Fairbanks have claimed the national championship 10 times. They’ve finished runner-up another four times.
This is the kind of performance that makes sportswriters use descriptions like “dynasty” and “dominant” in their columns; talk that is definitely on target.
But this year’s roster belies that storied history. Of the 10 shooters on the roster, six are sophomores and four are freshmen. Four are from Alaska, two are from Pennsylvania, one is from Colorado, one is from Nebraska and two hail from Sweden.
They haven’t had much time together. And when UAF brought home its first gold in 1994, these competitors were little kids.
With this kind of start on their college shooting careers, however, this team could certainly extend the dynasty several more seasons.
Rifle is a sport that requires patience, dedication and endless hours of practice in pursuit of perfection that always seems a fraction of an inch away. As one of few truly co-ed collegiate sports, it also holds potential to inspire a wide range of young people to strive for their own goals.
The dedication required of a group of young people to train to a level that allowed them to travel across the country and come from behind to beat the Army shooting team on West Point turf is awe-inspiring, indeed.
Congratulations to this young team, coach Dan Jordan and the University of Alaska Fairbanks rifle program.
Community Discussion
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As a past member of the UAF Rifle Team, I know what an outstanding win this is for UAF. Alaskans sometimes tend to "expect" the UAF Rifle Team to win because of their past record. What Coach Dan Jordan and his young team accomplished this year, through dedicated effort, was truly the most outstanding accomplishment of any past UAF Rifle Team, including mine.
Minnesota Gophers have hockey, Notre Dame Fighting Irish have football, and UAF Nanooks have the Rifle Team! Another dynasty to add to the record books. Not to mention all the olympic medal winners who shot for the UAF Rifle Team as well!
I am just glad to see that Dan made it to coach this year after his house frickin blew up! We have a spot of pride at the UAF that has stood for a number of years, great program, great coaches, great team. Good job!
Different Dan Jordan. They still have all of the "great" things that you mentioned though.
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