Husker Rifle Team: Meet Kelsey Hansen

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. In case you missed anyone here’s the roster: Lauren, Rachel, Jaycee, Maggie, Marissa, Denise, and Alex.

Senior Kelsey Hansen is from North Dakota. She is majoring in biology and has a younger sister named Kyley. She is a Biology major but has enjoyed classes like pre-PA and Occupational therapy. After graduation she is looking to participate in some internships and get some volunteer hours. In the summer months I like to work out a lot. I go to the lake and hangout on the boat and do knee boarding too. I’ve also worked as at a restaurant as a bartender and server at a golf club.

Kelsey Hansen (photo NU Media Relations)

I asked her what the reaction is from people when they find out she is on the Rifle team. “Usually they are like, ‘when are you going to teach me?’ Our program is slowing getting the word out which is good. More know about it now than my freshman year.”

Favorite Gun: “My Dad got me a .38 special revolver and it’s really fun.

Kelsey Hansen (photo NU Media Relations)

Favorite music: “It depends. If I’m nervous it’s Bon Iver. If I need to get pumped up, it’s some kind of hard rock. I like Rage Against The Machine.

Her competition ritual: “I get up early and make sure I eat a couple hours before, listen to some music, stretch out and use my roller to get loose.”

Favorite Movie: Fight Club. I like movies with twists in the ending and have depth to it. I prefer popcorn and a rental comfy couch versus candy and the theater.

Favorite shooting venue: “I like the Ole Miss range and the Anchorage venue but that’s because a friend of mine that competes on their team.”

Kelsey Hansen (Photo NU Media Relations)

Best shooting moment: “It was last season in a home match. I hadn’t broken a 590 before and I scored a 593. Getting above 590 was a longtime goal and I made a big leap the first time to get there.”

Favorite Husker sports persona: “I’m close with the golf team, but my favorite person would be my friend from the softball team, Lotte Sjulin. I know her from classes and the cross sport camaraderie.”

Kelsey Hansen (Photo NU Media Relations)

Other than Rifle, what other sports do you enjoy doing for fun? “I really like Swimming. It’s my favorite because of the competitions I used to compete in from age 6 until my senior year in high school. I had to stop because of an injury but I still enjoy it for fun. I also like to run. Core strength is a must and cardio stuff. A slow resting heart rate is critical before you shoot.”

What are your thoughts about the uniform? “Best thing is that it gives you so much support with your back. Without it we would have bad backs with the 4-5 hours in a match that you are not really moving much and all that weight. Spectators who don’t understand the outfit think it looks bad because of the way it’s cut. It certainly doesn’t have any curves to it.

Kelsey Hansen, Senior on the Husker Rifle Team (photo by Kelli Anne)

Not only is she the only Husker senior on the team but she is also unique in that her favorite position from which to fire is prone. Most of the other team members prefer standing. And as a group, the kneeling position is the least favorite.

I asked her if there was anything she would want me to relate to the readers. Kelsey said, “I would like to send a thank you for the support that my parents and grandparents have given me over the years. They have been proud of me even through my struggles.”