Kentucky Rifle Team Set to Host Memphis in Fall Finale
LEXINGTON, Ky. — After securing victories against Akron and Ole Miss last weekend, the University of Kentucky rifle team is looking to end the fall portion of their 2023 home schedule on a high note. On Saturday at 8 a.m. ET, they will host Memphis at the UK Rifle Range in Lexington, Kentucky.
The day will kick off with sights and prep for smallbore at 8 a.m. ET, followed by air rifle at approximately 10 a.m. ET. There will only be one relay on Saturday. Spectators are invited to watch smallbore scores up in Barker Hall and enjoy free breakfast during the first part of the relay. The range will be open to spectators for air rifle, with admission being free.
One exciting addition for fans this year, both in-person and watching from home, is the live commentary online. Former UK All-American Billy Azzinaro, who helped lead UK to the 2018 NCAA Championship, will provide commentary for the first relay on Saturday. This live commentary will be available through the UK Rifle Facebook Page, along with live targets and an NCAA scorecard.
Head coach Harry Mullins expressed his optimism for the upcoming matchup, stating, “We talked last weekend about getting better and making small improvements as we progress through the season, and I think you saw that. It has been a great few weeks of home competition, and I really appreciate everyone that has come out and supported us. Memphis is a really good team, and we will have to work hard to end this portion of the schedule on a high note. I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and seeing what we can do.”
Kentucky enters the matchup with momentum, having secured wins against Akron and Ole Miss in their previous doubleheader. They posted a score of 4714 against Akron and followed it up with a score of 4718 against Ole Miss. Sophomore Sofia Ceccarello led Kentucky in both matches, posting an aggregate score of 1185 against Akron and improving it to 1188 against Ole Miss. Freshman Braden Peiser also had a solid weekend, scoring an aggregate of 1181 against Akron and finishing strong with a 593 in air rifle to help seal the win. Fifth-year senior Jaden Thompson had a standout performance in air rifle against Ole Miss, scoring a 595 after a rocky start. Fellow fifth-year senior Emmie Sellers finished fifth overall in both matches, shooting a 1172 against Akron and a 1175 against Ole Miss.
Ceccarello has been a standout performer for Kentucky this season, leading the team in both smallbore average and air rifle average. She has an average of 588.5 in smallbore and 598.5 in air rifle, resulting in an aggregate average of 1187.0. Ceccarello is the only athlete in the nation to have posted three or more 599 air rifle scores this season. Thompson is not far behind, averaging 582 in smallbore, 594.5 in air rifle, and a 1176.5 aggregate. Sellers ranks third on the team with an aggregate average of 1174.5, achieving a 583.5 in smallbore and 591 in air rifle. Peiser is earning a 583.75 in smallbore and 590.5 in air rifle for a 1174.25 aggregate, while sophomore Martin Voss has a 582 in smallbore and 588.25 in air rifle for a 1170.25 aggregate. Junior Allison Buesseler holds a 578.75 in smallbore and 589 in air rifle for a 1167.75 aggregate average. Junior Kayla Kalenza, sophomore AJ Hotko, and freshman Emily Marne have also been performing well. Kalenza averages 570.5 in smallbore and 588 in air rifle, Hotko has a 566.667 in smallbore and 585.667 in air rifle, and Marne holds a 559.333 in smallbore and 569.333 in air rifle.
As a team, Kentucky is averaging a 2340.5 in smallbore and 2376 in air rifle, resulting in an aggregate average of 4716.5. They currently have a 4-0 record for the season with wins against Morehead State, Navy, Akron, and Ole Miss.
Memphis, their upcoming opponent, enters the weekend with an average score of 2319.5 in smallbore and 2368.33 in air rifle, resulting in an aggregate average of 4687.83. The Tigers had their best performance of the season in their last outing against Ohio State and Morehead State on October 29, scoring a 4710 aggregate. Gabriela Zych leads the team with a 586 smallbore average and a 596.4 air rifle average, while Kenlee Ewton ranks second on the team with a 579.5 smallbore average and a 592.667 air rifle average.
After their match against Memphis, Kentucky will conclude their fall schedule with a trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. They will compete in two matches up there, first against Akron on November 18, and then against Alaska and Akron on November 19.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
