Rifle Falls at West Virginia, 4728-4710

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky rifle team concluded its regular-season schedule Saturday by posting a 4710 team score, falling to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown, West Virginia.

WVU scored a 4728 overall team score to win the match and earn the regular-season Great America Rifle Conference Championship.

“Overall, I think there were some highs and lows just like any match,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “We will have to go to work this week to fix some of the leaks. I feel we have the battle in us, but just came up a little short today. As the match progressed, we started to settle in but just ran out of time. This is always an exciting time of year and we have to take each step in stride. We may not like some strides but we have to take them to get to where we want to be. Still proud of this group and the work that they are putting in.”

The Wildcats started the match by posting a 2330 in smallbore followed by a 2380 in air rifle for their 4710 team score. Fifth-year senior Emmie Sellers led Kentucky in smallbore with a 585, followed by freshman Braden Peiser with a 584. Sophomore Sofia Ceccarello scored a 581 with fifth-year senior Jaden Thompson point a 580. Junior Allison Buesseler scored a 577 with sophomore Martin Voss earning a 576. Sophomore AJ Hotko posted a 563, followed by freshman Emily Marne with a 561.

In air rifle, Kentucky was paced by Buesseler, who scored a season-best 598, while Ceccarello earned a 596 and Peiser a 595. Voss scored a 594 in the discipline, while Sellers and Thompson each earned 591s. Hotko scored a 579 in air rifle with Marne scoring a 572.

WVU scored a 2341 in smallbore and 2387 in air rifle for a 4728 team score. Matt Sanchez finished with a 1184 aggregate to lead all competitors.

Kentucky will return home next weekend and host a NCAA Qualifier with Morehead State inside the UK Rifle Range. Following the qualifier, UK will compete in the Great America Rifle Conference Championships Feb. 24 and 25 at Army. The NCAA Championships are scheduled for March 8-9 in Morgantown, W.Va.

For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.