RENO, Nev. – Senior Mitchell Van Patten and freshman Alec Patajo (Pa-Tahoe) will represent the University of Nevada rifle team at the NCAA Championships Friday and Saturday.  Both are making their first appearance at the event that is being hosted by West Virginia, March 8-9.  To follow the championship go to https://wvuni_ftp.sidearmsports.com/custompages/ncaarifle/index.html#home.
 
"This national championship has the best of the best of NCAA rifle," head coach Fred Harvey said.  "It is an honor to shoot with these men and women. Go Pack!"
 
Van Patten will compete in the smallbore on Friday.  At the NCAA Qualifier he shot a 586 to earn a spot in the NCAA field, two points off his career high of 588 that he posted at the OSU Buckeye Invite on Nov. 12, 2016.  At the Patriot Rifle Conference Championships this season he placed third in the smallbore and won the air rifle title.
 
The freshman Patajo posted a career-high 593 at the NCAA Qualifier to earn his first trip to 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.
 
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.
 
In the history of the program the Pack has sent now nine individuals.  Previous Nevada representatives were; Lee Lemenager (2008), Meghann Morrill (2008), Dempster Christenson (2012), Olivia Pennell (2013), Emily Capaul (2015) and the two this season.
 
Eight times Nevada's rifle has qualified for the NCAA Championships; 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012.  The Pack played in the top 10 all eight times they qualified for the NCAA Championships with the best finish being second to Alaska in 2004.  In 2005 Nevada hosted the event.
 
As a freshman in 2002 Ryan Tanoue claimed the NCAA Championship winning the air posting a score of 392.   Tanoue is currently the head coach at Ohio State.