Aug. 4, 2003

University of Kentucky rifle senior Bradley Wheeldon captured the silver medal Monday in the men’s air rifle event at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Wheeldon, one of two Americans in the 30-man field, scored a 691.4, falling just 1.1 points shy of the tally turned in by gold medalist Angel Rosendo Velarte of Argentina. Wheeldon becomes the first athlete with UK ties to medal in international competition since former UK All-American Nancy Napolski won the gold medal in air rifle at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Former Kentucky rifle standout Mary Elsass, a 1997 UK graduate, also competed in the Pan American Games this month, placing seventh overall in women’s air rifle.

Wheeldon’s silver-medal performance follows a runner-up showing in smallbore and third-place finish in air rifle at the NCAA Rifle Championships last March. The six-time National Rifle Association All-American from Eubank, Ky. was named to the USA Shooting National Development Team in March and figures to be a formidable player in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials.

UK Rifle Coach Harry Mullins said the best is yet to come for Wheeldon.

“With as solid a performance as he turned in today at the Pan American Games, Bradley is really positioning himself well for a chance to compete in the Summer Olympics next year,” Mullins said. “He has represented the United States so well, and we’re really excited about his potential this season.”

Wheeldon managed to juggle a busy summer class schedule before leaving for Santo Domingo. The Verizon Academic All-District and College Rifle Coaches Association All-Academic Team selection is on track to complete UK’s five-year master’s program in physical therapy in the spring of 2004.