Results
The University of Kentucky rifle team fell to Alaska-Fairbanks by a score of 6258-6205 Saturday, Nov. 18, at UK’s Buell Armory. Alaska-Fairbanks’ Matt Emmons scored a perfect 400 in the prone event en route to leading the defending NCAA champion Nanooks past the Wildcats. Alaska-Fairbanks outscored the Wildcats 4691-4659 in the smallbore competition, and also captured the air rifle event by a score of 1567-1546.

UK freshman James Nash recorded a personal-best 1179 in the smallbore competition, while teammate Lindsey Meagher notched a personal-best 399 in the prone event.

Emmons and fellow Nanook Melissa Mulloy placed 1-2 in both the smallbore and air rifle competition. Emmons took overall individual scoring honors with a score of 1580, while Mulloy tallied a 1577. Kentucky’s James Nash scored an 1179 in smallbore, and 392 in air rifle, good enough for third place overall. Wildcat freshman Bradley Wheeldon placed fifth by notching an overall score of 1567.

“I think the team did really well today,” coach Harry Mullins said. “We held together while competing against the best team in the nation. We did not give up at any point in the match and our shooters saw that they have what it takes to shoot high numbers. Overall I am very proud of their performances. I feel that we learned a lot. We will see good results from the match even though we lost.”

The Cats’ next match is on the road Saturday, Dec. 2, when they face the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown.