EL PASO, Texas – The 16th ranked University of Nevada rifle team posted the top score at the NCAA Qualifier hosted by UTEP on Saturday.  The Wolf Pack shot a season high 4666 to outdistance No. 8 Alaska (4660) and No. 18 UTEP (5490). 
 
The NCAA will announced the eight teams and select individuals that will qualify for the NCAA Championships on Tuesday at 2 p.m. PT.  The championships will be hosted by West Virginia, March  8-10.
 
The Pack tied Alaska for the top score of 2304 in smallbore and won the air rifle 2362-2356 over the Nanooks to post the best combined score of 4666.  UTEP was third in both events.
 
Senior Mitchell Van Patten won the smallbore with a score of 586, was third in the air rifle shooting 592 and his aggregate score which combines the two events of 1178 earned him second.
 
Freshman Alec Patajo posted three top 5 finishes with his best being second in the air rifle with a 593.  Patajo was third in the smallbore posting a score of 579 and earned third with his aggregate score of 1172.
 
Rachel Benesh earned fifth in all three events shooting 573 in smallbore, 590 in air rifle and her combined aggregate score of 1163 was also fifth.  Junior Eli Larimer placed eighth in air rifle (587) and 16th in smallbore (564).
 
Sophomore Nadine Ahola was the fifth Pack shooter in the top 10 of the air rifle placing 10th with a score of 585, her 566 in smallbore was 12th and was 10th with a 1151 aggregate score.  Freshman Andre Pham shot 583 in air rifle to place 11th and was 13th in smallbore with a score of 566.