Sept. 21, 2007

The Associated Press

Friday, September 21, 2007; 5:35 PM

WASHINGTON -- The men and women's rifle team from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks has earned the distinction of traveling the farthest for a White House ceremony Friday honoring NCAA championship teams.

"Interestingly enough, guess who they beat?" President Bush asked guests sitting on folding chairs on the South Lawn.

"West Point," he said. "Anytime you outshoot West Point, you're really good at what you do."

It was the eighth time in nine years that the Nanooks have been the NCAA champions in rifle, the president said.

In all, Bush saluted teams from eight schools.

Others recognized were:

_Arizona State University women's indoor and outdoor track and field team.

_University of Minnesota men's wrestling team.

_Duke University women's golf team, winner of the national championship in 2006 and 2007.

_Oregon State University baseball team, winner of the national championship in 2006 and 2007.

_Brown University women's crew team.

_University of Tennessee women's basketball team.

_Johns Hopkins University men's lacrosse team

(This version CORRECTS the university name to Johns Hopkins, not John Hopkins.) )