Nebraska

Rifle Begins 2024 Schedule Saturday at Army, Sunday vs. Nebraska

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1 year ago

January 12, 2024

Rifle Begins 2024 Schedule Saturday at Army, Sunday vs. Nebraska

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As the calendar turns to 2024, the University of Kentucky rifle team begins the second stretch of regular-season competition, traveling to West Point, New York this weekend for dual matches at Army and vs. Nebraska on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The action starts Saturday as Kentucky takes on Army inside the Tronsrue Marksmanship Center at West Point. Sunday, Kentucky will take on Nebraska in a neutral-site dual match in the same facility. Live targets and a NCAA Scorecard are available both days online at UKathletics.com. Both matches are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. ET.

“Excited to get the 2024 portion of the schedule underway,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “I was very proud of how we ended the season up in Alaska with some good performances and look forward to seeing how we can continue that momentum into 2024. We know the regular season is all about getting better and perfecting our craft as we head into the GARC Championships and NCAAs. It will be great to be back in the range with the team this weekend.”

Kentucky is coming off its best performance of the season in its last match, posting a season-high team score of 4745 in a tri-match with both Alaska-Fairbanks and Akron in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was a career day from fifth-year senior Emmie Sellers, who set career highs in both smallbore and air rifle for a new career-high aggregate. Kentucky scored a season high score in both disciplines, posting a 2357 in smallbore and 2388 in air rifle for the high aggregate. The season-high mark surpasses the previous season high of 4727 secured in the season opener vs. Morehead State.

Kentucky’s 2357 smallbore was the sixth-highest smallbore score in the nation this season as the Wildcats are one of only two teams in the nation to score a 2357 or higher in smallbore this year. UK’s 2388 in air rifle tied the third highest team score in the discipline this season and UK is one of only three teams with an air rifle team score of 2388 or higher. The 4745 aggregate tied the fifth-highest team score in the nation this season as only UK, TCU, Alaska-Fairbanks and WVU have hit 4745 or higher.

Sellers was the star in the second relay for Kentucky, scoring career-high marks in both smallbore and air rifle. She scored an impressive 588 in smallbore thanks to a perfect 200 in prone, marking the third-straight match that she has upped her career-high smallbore score. In air rifle, Sellers scored a 598, which also was a career best and was just two shots off a perfect 600. The two strong scores earned her a 1186 aggregate, which also is a career high and placed her fourth individually at the match.

Sophomore Sofia Ceccarello was fantastic in both disciplines, scoring a 591 in smallbore and 599 in air rifle. This was the fifth 599 of the year in air rifle for Ceccarello, who is the only athlete in the nation to have five or more 599s in air rifle. Her two high scores total a 1190 aggregate, which tied for the highest individual score of the match. Freshman Braden Peiser and sophomore Martin Voss also excelled in smallbore in the first relay, scoring high marks. Peiser posted a 589, including a 199 standing, which is an outstanding score in the hardest of the smallbore positions. Peiser ended his day with a 595 air rifle for a 1184 aggregate, which was good for sixth overall at the match. Voss tied a career high and set a new season high in smallbore with a 589 and followed with a 583 air rifle for a 1172 aggregate.

Ceccarello leads Kentucky this season in both smallbore average and air rifle average. She is averaging a 588 in smallbore and 598.571 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 1186.571. Sellers is right behind her averaging 584.714 in smallbore, 593 in air rifle and a 1177.714 aggregate, while fellow fifth-year senior Jaden Thompson is third on the squad in aggregate average at 1175.428 with a 581.714 in smallbore and 593.714 in air rifle. Peiser is earning a 582 in smallbore and 592.714 in air rifle for a 1174.714 aggregate, while Voss is posting a 584.143 in smallbore and 587.143 in air rifle for a 1171.286 aggregate. Buesseler is earning a 580.286 in smallbore and 590.286 in air rifle for a 1170.572 aggregate average. Junior Kayla Kalenza, sophomore AJ Hotko and freshman Emily Marne are all having good seasons. Kalenza is averaging 570.5 in smallbore and 588 in air rifle, while Hotko is earning a 567 in smallbore and 586.5 in air rifle and Marne a 556.25 in smallbore and 566.5 in air rifle.

As a team, Kentucky is averaging a 2342.86 in smallbore and 2379.29 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 4722.14.

Army is averaging 2323.67 in smallbore and 2355.67 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 4679.33. Anusha Pakkam is leading the team with a 582.5 in smallbore and 592.667 in air rifle. Fellow UK national champion and All-American Richard Clark is now an assistant coach for Army.

Nebraska is averaging a 2333.33 in smallbore and 2375.17 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 4708.50. Cecelia Ossi leads the team with a 585.667 smallbore average and 594.833 air rifle average.

For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Nebraska

Podcast: Nebraska football’s transfer portal, special teams and Husker hoops

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1 hour ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Podcast: Nebraska football’s transfer portal, special teams and Husker hoops

Our Amie Just and Luke Mullin are back to discuss Nebrask football’s special teams as they look ahead to this year’s offseason football. Plus, Nebraska wrestling coach Mark Manning got his 300th win with the program; women’s basketball player Allison Weidner is likely out for the season.

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Nebraska

Jack Hoffman, who captured hearts around Nebraska football, dies of brain cancer

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9 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Jack Hoffman, who captured hearts around Nebraska football, dies of brain cancer

Jack Hoffman, who ran to fame at age 7 by scoring a touchdown in the 2013 Nebraska spring football game and raised millions to fight childhood cancer, has died after a battle with brain cancer, according to Kylie Dockter, executive director of the foundation named for him.

Hoffman was 19. He was originally diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 at the age of 5. His fight against the disease inspired the rise of the Team Jack Foundation, which has contributed more than $12 million to support childhood brain cancer research.

According to a December post on the website CaringBridge by Jack’s mother, Brianna Hoffman, recent scans showed the growth of a tumor in Jack’s brain and new tumors in other areas of his body.

She said at the time the family was “praying for a miracle.”

Hoffman underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy last year after enrolling as a freshman in the fall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He graduated from West Holt High in Atkinson, Neb., last year and earned a full college scholarship from the Kearney Law Opportunities Program — designed to recruit aspiring law students from rural Nebraska communities.

After his initial cancer diagnosis, Hoffman formed a friendship with Rex Burkhead, a Nebraska running back from 2009 to 2012. Weeks before Burkhead was drafted into the NFL, Jack received an invite to the Huskers’ spring game from coach Bo Pelini.

Hoffman took a handoff from quarterback Taylor Martinez in the fourth quarter and ran 69 yards for a touchdown in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 fans at Memorial Stadium.

The moment earned an ESPY for Hoffman and a meeting with President Barack Obama. Later in 2013, Hoffman served as the grand marshal of Nebraska’s homecoming parade.

He maintained a bond with Burkhead, who played 10 seasons in the NFL. Burkhead served as a driving force for the Team Jack Foundation and was a fixture at Team Jack events.

“I don’t think we ever envisioned this,” Burkhead said in 2018.

The Team Jack Gala annually raises money and draws attention to the fight against pediatric brain cancer. The 2025 event is set for Feb. 22, with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to serve as the keynote speaker.

Jack’s father, Andy Hoffman, instrumental in the growth of the Team Jack Foundation, preceded Jack in death. Andy Hoffman died of brain cancer in 2021.

(Photo of Rex Burkhead and Jack Hoffman: Mitch Sherman / The Athletic)

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Nebraska

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

Published

17 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Gov. Pillen appoints Judge Bergevin to Nebraska Supreme Court

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Bergevin was one of 3 candidates to be interviewed here

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Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his appointment of the Honorable Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus as an associate justice to the Nebraska Supreme Court representing the Fifth Judicial District. The announcement was made on Jan. 2.
“Judge Bergevin is a dedicated jurist with extensive experience as an attorney and most recently as a district judge representing the Fifth Judicial District,” said Gov. Pillen. “I have great confidence in Judge Bergevin’s abilities, and I know he has deep respect and integrity when it comes to matters of the court. I am pleased to elevate him to this role on Nebraska’s Supreme Court.”
“I am honored to be chosen as the next judge of the Nebraska Supreme Court from the Fifth Judicial District,” said Justice Bergevin. “Three highly qualified applicants stepped forward for this position. I appreciate Governor Pillen’s confidence in me. I will work hard to continue serving the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the people of our state.”
Bergevin was the second of three candidates for the position to be interviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission on Dec. 12 in the 5th District courtroom on the third floor of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Fourteen members of the commission heard presentations and asked questions of Judge Bergevin, as well as David Bargen of Adams and Lawrence Welch, Jr. of Plattsmouth, the other two candidates.
In his opening remarks to the commission, Bergevin mentioned his prior experience as a practicing attorney and as a Judge Advocate General officer in the U.S. Air Force.
“I have been in the battle and I would be a supreme court justice who can remember what it was like to be a litigator,” he added.
In answer to a question from a member of the panel regarding how he would separate his personal views from judicial decisions, Bergevin said he believes a judge should regularly be unhappy with the result of a case because it meant the law was being followed, even though it went against his own personal preferences.
In addition to his recent role as district judge (2022), Bergevin also oversaw the opening of one of the state’s newest problem-solving courts in Platte County last summer. He was an assistant attorney general in the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for seven years where he worked with county attorneys in the prosecution of complex cases, was legal advisor to multiple state agencies and reviewed agency regulations. Bergevin also held multiple positions in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps up until 2022 and has prior experience in both the Lancaster County Attorney’s office and the Weld County District Attorney’s office in Greeley, Colo.
Bergevin holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) and earned his juris doctor from Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts.
The Fifth Judicial District for the Nebraska Supreme Court consists of Hamilton and 24 other counties in this part of Nebraska. The vacancy was due to Judge Jeffrey Funke’s appointment as chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.