The University of Kentucky rifle team claimed NCAA smallbore runner-up honors Saturday at the 2004 NCAA Rifle Championships at Murray State?s Spurgin Rifle Range.

Kentucky tallied a 4663 out of a possible 4800 points to finish second to Alaska Fairbanks, who scored a 4702. The performance marks Kentucky?s best team event showing at the NCAA Championships since taking second place in the smallbore and air rifle events at the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Championships. The Cats were unable to compete in the team air rifle event after failing to qualify at the NCAA Regionals last month at Murray State.

Nine Wildcats earned spots on the College Rifle Coaches Association All-Academic Team. Claiming the honors were seniors Melody Cook, Lindsey Meagher and Bradley Wheeldon; junior Jeff Hamberg; sophomores Brad Donoho and Vicki Goss and freshmen Jared and Justin Rinker and Amy Sowash.