March 15, 2003

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The University of Kentucky rifle team capped off an outstanding season with a sixth place finish in the 2003 NCAA Rifle Championships in West Point, N.Y. Alaska-Fairbanks, who defeated Kentucky twice during the regular season, won its fifth consecutive national team championship.

The Rifle Cats were led by junior Bradley Wheeldon, who tallied an 1178 in smallbore along with a 392 in air rifle for an aggregate of 1570. Vicki Goss ended an incredible freshman season with an 1158 in smallbore and a 386 in air rifle for a combined 1544.

Kentucky Coach Harry Mullins had no complaints about the Rifle Cats’ effort.

“Naturally, you’d like to see the student-athletes earn themselves a national title, but they gave their best today and were beaten by a superior team. I’m so proud of what they’ve done this season, and I know we’ll be in for even better things next season,” Mullins said.

UK will bid farewell to seniors Curt Fulmer, Crystal Hamilton and Robert Krukoski, but the Rifle Cats will return their entire lineup from Saturday’s championship match next season.

AGATE:

Kentucky         Smallbore     Air Rifle     AggregateBradley Wheeldon 1178          392           1570Melody Cook      1146          366           1510Vicki Goss       1158          386           1544Lindsey Meagher  1131                        1131Brad Donoho                    382           382Totals           4613          1526          6139

Team ChampionshipTeam Smallbore Air Rifle Total1. Alaska-Fairbanks 4717 1570 62872. Xavier 4645 1552 61973. Murray State 4619 1539 61584. Nevada-Reno 4609 1543 61525. Jacksonville St. 4599 1542 61416. Kentucky 4613 1526 6139