Husker Rifle Team: Meet Marissa Major

Husker Rifle is busy preparing for their postseason. Their first stop is NCAA Qualifiers after a couple weeks off of duals. We caught up with the ladies who give “10” a whole other meaning. by now you’ve met sophomores Lauren, Rachel, Jaycee, Juniors Maggie, Alex, and Denise. Tomorrow you will meet Senior Kelsey Hansen.

Junior Marissa Major is from Arvada, Colorado. She’s a global studies major and became involved with rifles when her cousin introduced her to the sport. His name is Max Burkhadt and he’s a senior competing for the Memphis Rifle Team. In her free time, Marissa says she does the typical Colorado things like hiking, camping and being outdoors when she goes back home.

Marissa Major (photo NU media Relations)

After college she is hoping to find a career that involves traveling. She is also considering working in the Peace Corps for a time. She will probably put the guns down after college, “and if I go back to Colorado I will try to coach the club team, Arvada Rifle & Pistol Club.”

I asked her what the reaction is from people when they find out she is on the Rifle team. “The silliest question she ever got was whether we hunt people. I mean, really? The next thing they ask me is usually if I hunt, but mostly they are just confused by the whole sport.

Favorite Gun: “I don’t own any except my competition ones. I do like my Dad’s M-1 Garand though.”

M-1 Garand Rifle (Wikipedia)

Favorite music: “I’ve been experimenting with listening to really upbeat pop music before I shoot. I like experimenting with getting amped up in a positive way before a match.”

Her competition ritual: I always make sure I get a good breakfast and the just listen to my ipod early on. I like to talk to all my teammates before I start shooting because of the positive energy and the good mindset it give me.

Favorite Movie: Fury. I liked the action. Popcorn or Candy? “Candy all day.” And she prefers the theater over a rental.

Favorite shooting venue: I really enjoyed the shooting range at Ole Miss. It was goo d fun down there. (although she’s not too sure about the Hotty Toddy cheer)

Marissa Major (NU Media Relations)

Best shooting moment: “Today (2/12/15) at practice I ended on a grouping of 10s (or center shots). I felt really focused. My last shot was very purposeful. It felt great. (I didn’t know this but there are varying degrees of 10s, based upon how close they are to actual dead center)

Favorite Husker sports persona: “If it has to be a Husker it would be that football player with all those crazy catches, Jordan Westerkamp.”

Marissa Major leathers (Photo NU Media Relations)

Other than Rifle, what other sports do you enjoy doing for fun? Whatever my friends are doing. I like playing with the other rifle team girls at sand volleyball.

Something unique about her is that she has practiced without her leather jacket (it’s designed to provide stability through the back). She said, “I like going from without the jacket and testing yourself, to then getting the extra support from the jacket and seeing the difference.”

I asked her if there was anything she would want me to relate to the readers. Marissa said, “I would like to give a shout out to our athletic department. All the support they give us is amazing.”