LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky rifle team showcased their talent and determination on Saturday as they secured a 4723-4705 victory over Memphis. In front of their home crowd at the UK Rifle Range in Lexington, Kentucky, the Wildcats delivered several career-high performances, resulting in their second-highest team score of the season.
Kentucky started the match with a strong performance in smallbore, earning a score of 2344, while Memphis posted a score of 2328. The Wildcats maintained their momentum in the air rifle event, securing the match with a score of 2379, just two points ahead of Memphis’ 2377. The 4723 score was only slightly shy of the season opener’s impressive 4727. Similarly, Memphis recorded their second-highest score of the season with 4705.
Kentucky’s head coach, Harry Mullins, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “Saw some good things today and happy to end the fall home schedule with a good score and win for Big Blue Nation. Very proud of Emmie for her career-high smallbore and Braden for his career-high air rifle. Overall, a good match for us and looking forward to a good week of training and then heading out to Alaska.”
Sophomore Sofia Ceccarello led the way for Kentucky, delivering an outstanding performance with a score of 584 in smallbore and an impressive 598 in air rifle. Fifth-year senior Jaden Thompson also played a crucial role, matching her career-high score of 588 in smallbore and achieving a score of 593 in air rifle. Fellow fifth-year senior Emmie Sellers had a standout performance, recording a career-high score of 587 in smallbore and earning a 593 in air rifle. Braden Peiser, also reaching a career-high, scored a remarkable 595 in air rifle and secured a score of 581 in smallbore. Junior Allison Buesseler contributed with a score of 586 in smallbore and 592 in air rifle, while sophomore Martin Voss earned a score of 585 in smallbore and 590 in air rifle.
Additionally, sophomore AJ Hotko and freshman Emily Marne showcased their potential on the relay line. Hotko demonstrated her skills with a score of 568 in smallbore and 589 in air rifle, while Marne recorded scores of 547 in smallbore and 558 in air rifle.
Memphis was led by Gabriela Zych, who performed exceptionally well with a score of 588 in smallbore and 594 in air rifle. Sophie Gruz and Angeline Henry each earned an aggregate score of 1176. Gruz delivered a score of 583 in smallbore and 593 in air rifle, while Henry achieved a score of 580 in smallbore and an impressive 596 in air rifle.
With the Fall schedule coming to a close, the Kentucky rifle team is now looking forward to their trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. The team will compete in two matches next week, facing Akron on November 18 and then Alaska and Akron on November 19.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, fans can visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
