LEXINGTON, Ky. — Following a fourth-place finish at the 2009-10 NCAA Championships, five Kentucky rifle standouts have earned All-American accolades, it was announced.
UK senior Ashley Jackson led the way for the Wildcats earning first-team accolades in smallbore and air rifle. Jackson led UK with a 579.85 smallbore average during the season and a 589.77 air rifle average, totaling a team-high 1169.62 combined average.
“I think Ashley is very deserving,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “She has worked very hard this year in both guns to excel and perform at the level she did this year. To make first-team All-America in both events shows the character she has and the skill level she possesses. This is a good stepping stone for her to continue her shooting career after graduation. I am very excited for Ashley.”
Fellow UK senior Tom Csenge was name second-team in air rifle, after totaling a 585.85 average throughout the season. Csenge has now earned seven All-America accolades during his storied four-year career. In smallbore, Csnege had a 574.85 average, just shy of his 579.4 average in 2008-09.
“I was excited for Tom,” Mullins said. “He struggled in both guns this year and the smallbore cut (for All-America honors) was a bit higher than it has been in previous years. He gave us an All-American effort this year. He is going to do well as a resident at the national training center and I look for him to do big things in years to come.”
Freshman Katie Fretts had a breakout season in both guns, earning second-team All-America honors in air rifle. Fretts totaled the second-best air rifle average on the team, 586.23, also adding a 572.92 average in smallbore.
“I was very excited for Katie, she did a great job for us this season,” Mullins said. “Obviously it showed in our decision to put her on the first team at the NCAA Championships. She had a good performance and learned a lot at the championships. For a freshman to come in and perform well – I was just really proud. She did well in smallbore as well. We should see great things from her in the future.”
Sophomore Megan English was also named second-team All-America in air rifle, totaling a 586 average on the year, adding a 571.92 average in smallbore. English’s air rifle average was the third-best on the club.
“Megan did a super job for us this year,” Mullins said. “She really came on strong at the end of the year, including shooting a 589 at the NCAA Championships. She deserves to be up there. With a little bit of hard work, we can get that average up a little bit. We look forward to her improving in the next few seasons.”
Ethan Settlemires was named honorable mention All-America in both guns, totaling the second-best average on the team in smallbore (576.18) and the fifth-best average in air rifle (584.36). Settlemires ranked third overall on the team in combined categories, averaging 1160.55 overall.
“I was excited for Ethan to make it in both guns,” Mullins said. “He is learning a lot about himself that will help him make a jump next year. We are really happy for Ethan and look for him to do some good things in the future.”
