RENO, Nev. – The University of Nevada rifle team has qualified two individuals for the NCAA Championships being hosted by West Virginia, March 8-9 at the WVU Coliseum in Morgantown.  Senior Mitchell Van Patten will compete in the smallbore and freshman Alec Patajo (Pa-Tahoe) has earned a spot in air rifle.
 
Nevada last sent competitors to the NCAA Championships in 2015 when Emily Capaul was the last freshman to earn a spot.  The last time the Pack qualified as a team was in 2012.
 
"We look forward to returning to the National Championships," head coach Fred Harvey said. "Having had more national NCAA appearances than any other Nevada team, it's unfortunate we won't have any more."
  
Van Patten tied his season-high with a 586 in smallbore at the NCAA Qualifier last week at UTEP and will be making his first trip to the NCAA Championships.  At the Patriot Rifle Conference Championships he placed third in the smallbore and won the air rifle title.
 
Patajo shot a career-high 593 in air rifle at the NCAA Qualifier to earn a spot as freshman at the NCAA Championships.   In his last two competitions he has posted his top scores of the season, 588 at the Patriot Rifle Championships and the 593 at the NCAA Qualifier.