Rifle Posts 4731, Defeats Murray State at 2025 Withrow Open
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky rifle team used a strong performance in the standing position in smallbore and a quality performance up and down the lineup in air rifle to post a 4731 team score to defeat Murray State and post the highest Withrow Open team score in Murray, Kentucky on Sunday.
Kentucky posted a 2350 in smallbore and 2381 in air rifle to claim the strong score. Murray State, who annually hosts the seven-team event, scored a 4725 team score with a 2345 in smallbore and 2380 in air rifle. Also competing in the event throughout the weekend was Nebraska (4706), Jacksonville State (4686), North Georgia (4618), UAB (4559) and Memphis.
The Wildcats will return to action at the same time and same place Monday to complete the trip to Murray, Kentucky. The Wildcats ill have a dual-match with Memphis tomorrow with sights and prep for smallbore starting at 10 a.m. ET. Live targets and a NCAA scorecard will be available online at UKathletics.com.
“We did some good things today, but still need to find our stride and comfort zone a little faster,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “I thought we were trying to do a little too much early and were pushing too hard in smallbore. What was good to see was us settle in and get some really good performances in standing. Overall, proud of the performance and look forward to seeing what we can do tomorrow against Memphis.”
The Wildcats were led in smallbore by sophomore Braden Peiser, who scored a 592 with 40 centers, scoring 198 in kneeling, 199 in prone and 195 in standing. Junior Sofia Ceccarello and senior Allison Buesseler each scored a 588 in smallbore with Ceccarello adding 35 centers while Buesseler had 31 centers. Junior Martin Voss scored a 587 with 33 centers, scoring 195 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 195 in standing, while freshman Liz Probst scored a 583 with 39 centers, earning 186 in kneeling, 198 in prone and 199 in standing. Freshmen Brandon Evans and Sam Adkins scored a 589 and 575, respectively. Evans scored a 191 in kneeling, 199 in prone and 190 in standing, while Adkins posted a 190 in kneeling, 198 in prone and 187 in standing. Junior AJ Hotko posted a 579 with 28 centers, earning a 196 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 186 in standing, while sophomore Emily Marne scored a 536 and freshman Hannah Todd a 573.
Peiser led Kentucky in air rifle as well with a 597 and 57 centers, while Probst also scored a 597, hitting 49 centers. Ceccarello scored a 595 in air rifle, while Evans posted a 594 with 42 centers. Voss scored a 592 for Kentucky in the discipline with 42 centers. Hotko, Adkins and Buesseler each scored a 591 with Hotko hitting 44 centers, Adkins hitting 45 centers and Buesseler 43 centers. Concluding the relay was Todd with a 583 and 36 centers, while Marne shot a 566 with 22 centers.
Peiser was Kentucky’s top individual with a 1189 aggregate and 97 centers, which was second at the Withrow Open. Ceccarello had the fifth-best individual aggregate with a 1183.
After Mondays match, Kentucky will travel to North Georgia on Jan. 26 for a dual match before two matches vs. Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. UK wraps the regular season on Feb. 8 against WVU in Lexington before hosting its NCAA Qualifier on Feb. 22.
Postseason competition begins March 1-2 with the Great America Rifle Conference Championships in Morgantown, West Virginia. The NCAA Rifle Championships return to Lexington for the first time since 2020. The two-day event will see the best air rifle and smallbore competitors in the nation compete on the Historic Memorial Coliseum floor. The smallbore competition will be March 14 followed by air rifle competition on March 15. Ticket information and full schedule of events for the championships will be announced later.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
