Nanooks Franz and Bures Win Gold

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. (April 20, 2010)

The University of Alaska’s rifle team is a powerhouse because of the exceptional talent on their roster and the potential it attracts. At this year’s Junior Olympic National Championship, the majority of the awards podium and top-eight finishers were bedecked in blue and yellow. Leading the way with Men’s 50m Three Position Rifle was Scott Franz of Livermore, Colorado. A freshman on the Alaska-Fairbanks team, Franz captured gold with a final score of 2405.1 points. He was followed by Daniel Hermsmeier of Chesterfield, Missouri, who shot 2386.5 and Michael Matthews of Johns Creek, Ga., with a total of 2386.4 points. Leading the J2 category was Ryan Anderson of Great Falls, Va., with 2272 total points. He was followed by Soren Butler of Casselton, N.D., who also shot 2272, but had fewer center shots than Anderson. Receiving the bronze medal was Remington Lyman of Meriden, Conn., with a total score of 2271 points. The J3 category winner was Alex Gestl of Palmyra, Pa., who walked away with 2174 points. The next closest shooter was Garret Stearns of Round Rock, Texas, with 2170 points. Samuel Portis of Inez, Texas, was the bronze medalist with 2158 points.

Another blue and yellow Nanook to find the upper podium was Cole Bures of Odell, Ne., who won the Men’s 50m Prone Rifle. Bures is part of the strong freshman core that makes up the University of Alaska-Fairbanks rifle team. He shot a final of 103.3 – not the highest, but enough to maintain his one-point lead for a gold medal and a total of 1288.3 points. Less than a point shy of tying Bures was Jimmie Cooper of Columbus, Ga. Cooper shot for a total of 1287.4 points and secured the silver medal. In third was Ryan Dunham-Bender of Delta, Junction, Alaska, with 1283.5 points. Continuing to enjoy the view from the top was J2 gold medalist Ryan Anderson with 1179 points. To his right on the podium, and with a silver medal around his neck was Remington Lyman with 1177 points. Finishing strong in third was Steven Hahn of Middle Grove, N.Y. Making a repeat performance in the J3 category was gold-medalist Alex Gestl with a total of 1160 points. Joining Gestl again on the podium was Garret Stearns who placed second with a total of 1134 points. Local J3 shooter, William Anti of Colorado Springs, Colo., was the bronze medalist for the prone competition. For complete results, please click here.

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