RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada rifle team looks to continue its hot start to the season at the Buckeye Open being hosted by Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio this weekend.  The Wolf Pack will compete on Saturday.  The Pack enter the weekend ranked ninth in the latest Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association poll while OSU is eighth.
 
The Pack knocked off then No. 5 OSU 4661-4614 in Reno on Oct. 7-8.  Live results of Saturday's match are available at www.results.megalink.no. 
 
 "The Ohio State range is one of the best in the country," head coach Fred Harvey said. "The Buckeyes are a top ten team. We will have to shoot our very best match."
 
Sophomore Rachel Benesh has been the Pack's top shooter the last two weekends winning the air rifle with a 591 against OSU and posted a career-high 594 last weekend versus UTEP.  The 594 is the top score on the team this season.  She has also posted personal highs this season in smallbore (582) and aggregate (1173).
 
Junior Mitchell Van Patten, senior Justin Nissen and sophomore Eli Larimer have all shot 591 this season in air rifle to tie for the second best score on the squad.  The 591 scores by Nissen and Larimer are personal bests.
 
Three Pack shooters have posted smallbore scores of 582 or better with Van Patten's 585 topping the team.  Nissen is second with a 583 and Benesh is close behind with a 582 that both came against Ohio State this season. 
 
The aggregate score combines the two events and three individuals have scores of 1171 or better.  Van Patten's 1176 at UTEP to start the season ranks first on the squad.  Benesh posted a personal best 1173 in the win over Ohio State.  Nissen who has been putting together and outstanding season shot a personal best 1171 at UTEP to open the season.