Oct. 25, 2008
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Led by All-American Tom Csenge, the Kentucky rifle team rebounded after a loss to the two-time NCAA Champion Alaska-Fairbanks on Friday, posting a dominating 4670-4606 win over Nebraska in a season-best performance Saturday at the E.F. Horton Rifle Range.
“I was really proud of the whole team, this trip showed us a lot about ourselves as a team and as shooters,” Kentucky head coach Harry Mullins said. “Our team score was a 4670, which makes the trip up a little better. After yesterday, I was really proud of the team to come back and shoot well today. They showed that they will not give up after a setback and keep working hard towards our team goals.”
Kentucky (2-1, 1-0 Great American Rifle Conference) opened its conference season with a win over Nebraska, as Csenge posted a match-high 1177 total score, with a team-leading 587 in smallbore and a 590 in air rifle. Csenge, a junior and first-team All-American in 2007-08, totaled a club-best 198 in smallbore prone, as well as team-highs in standing (192) and kneeling (197) in smallbore.
“After having to work very hard to get the 590 in air rifle, Tom came out solid with a 587 in smallbore,” Mullins detailed. “He has been down the past few matches in smallbore but he is getting back into the right frame to get the numbers that we are used to seeing.”
The Wildcats rebounded after suffering its first loss of the season to the tradition-rich Nanooks (2-0) on Friday, with Alaska posting a 4651-4635 win.
Jen Pason totaled a 576 in smallbore, while freshmen Ethan Settlemires and Megan English graced the starting lineup in air rifle. Settlemires posted a 581 and English a stellar 590 in air rifle – breaking 590 for the first time in her collegiate career. Leslie Angeli led the white squad with a 586 in air rifle.
“Jen had a 585 in air rifle today and from the work that she put in, I think that is making her way back to getting some solid numbers in air,” Mullins said. “She had a lot of close shots just like Leslie did this weekend. With a little more finesse I think that they will both have a solid November.”
UK posted a 2318-2291 advantage in smallbore and a 2352-2315 win in air rifle.
The Wildcats return to action on November 2, with a home match with UT Martin, the beginning of a three-match homestand.
