Rifle Travels to Withrow Invitational
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Coming off a two-match sweep last week in New York, the Kentucky rifle team turns its attention closer to home this weekend as the Wildcats participate in the Withrow Invitational, hosted by in-state rival Murray State.
The Withrow is a five-team event with every squad ranked in the nation’s top 20, including No. 14 Jacksonville State, No. 17 North Georgia and No. 20 UAB. No. 3-ranked Kentucky will compete against the host Racers, ranked No. 10 in the nation, on Sunday at 10 a.m. ET at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range. The top scoring team during the weekend will be the champion of the event. Live targets and an NCAA Scorecard are available online at UKathletics.com.
“Murray State is a very good team, and with all the teams ranked in the top 20, it will be good competition,” UK Coach Harry Mullins said. “In addition to the quality opponents, we’ll be shooting in a nice facility, so from here on out, all of our events will have a postseason feel.”
Kentucky has an 8-1 record following last week’s wins over Army and Nebraska. For the season, UK is averaging 2342.9 in smallbore and 2380.4 in air rifle, totaling an average aggregate of 4723.3.
Individually, six Wildcats – Allison Buesseler, Sofia Ceccarello, Braden Peiser, Emmie Sellers, Jaden Thompson and Martin Voss – have average aggregates of at least 1171 this season, with Ceccarello leading the way with an average of 1186. In addition, AJ Hotko, Kayla Kalenza and Emily Marne will compete on Sunday.
Murray State has a team average of 4694 this season, paced by Scott Patterson and Matias Kiuru, who have average aggregates of 1175.7 and 1175.6, respectively.
