Nov. 3, 2002

The University of Kentucky rifle team dropped its match against defending national champion Alaska Fairbanks, 6278-6191, on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Fairbanks, Alaska. Kentucky grabbed a close win in the air rifle competition, 1558-1554, but was outshot in smallbore 4724-4633. The Rifle Cats have fallen to UAF the past two seasons in the NCAA championship match, with Alaska winning four consecutive titles.

“Overall it was a great learning experience”, Coach Harry Mullins said. “We shot a score that would keep us in the top eight, yet we certainly realized that in order to come into the king’s house we have to work twice as hard to take his crown. “

In air rifle, freshman Vicki Goss led UK in a first place tie with UAF’s Erin Skeuse with a total aggregate score of 393. Goss also stepped up in smallbore action with UK’s second highest score in the event with an 1168. Junior Bradley Wheeldon tallied fourth-place finishes in both events with a 391 in air rifle and an 1175 in smallbore, Kentucky’s top score in the competition.

Also competing in both events was Melody Cook with an overall score of 1533. Brad Donoho tallied a 385 in air rifle competition, while Lindsey Meagher added an 1146 in smallbore action.

“Part of competing is learning,” Mullins added, “I hope that the team has learned a lot today. With a little work this week and some good performances this weekend, we hope to bounce back from this loss.”

The Rifle Cats will host the University of Mississippi on Saturday, Nov. 9, to open a six match homestand. The match will take place at the Buell Armory on the UK campus.