The University of Kentucky rifle team finished first at the NCAA Sectional in Murray, Ky., this weekend, edging out TennesseeTech and host Murray State with its final tally of 6197.

The sectional, a qualifier to the NCAA Championships, included teams from nine schools and a second team of shooters fromUK. The top eight teams from the sectionals, which are being held this weekend and next, will advance to the NCAA Championshipson March 8-10 in Columbus, Ohio.

Kentucky’s score was 53 points higher than Tech’s and included a 1546 in air rifle and a 4651 in smallbore, which were both goodenough for the event titles. Freshman Bradley Wheeldon again led the way for the Wildcats with his total of 1564, with fellow freshmanJames Nash just behind with 1562.

While the final field won’t be set until next weekend, the Cats first-place finish puts them in an ideal position for playing the waitinggame.

The Cats return to action on Saturday, Feb. 24 when they travel to Morgantown, W.Va., to compete in the 2001 Mid-American RifleConference Championships.