Rifle Posts 4740 in Season Opener at Ohio State

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 2 University of Kentucky rifle team started its 2025-26 season in impressive fashion Saturday, scoring a team score of 4740 in a tri-match victory against Ohio State and Memphis.

Kentucky dominated the match from start to finish, posting a 2350 in smallbore followed by a 2390 in air rifle for the impressive overall team score. Memphis scored a 2339 in smallbore and 2373 in air rifle for a 4712, while host Ohio State scored a 2336 in smallbore and 2352 in air rifle for a 4688 team score.

“A good start for us today on the road,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “I was really happy to see some great individual performances overall that helped propel the entire team to a solid score. Braden was very impressive today and Jacob and Elisa did great in their first collegiate matches. We have a long way to go to get to where we want to be, but overall a great start.”

Junior Braden Peiser led Kentucky and was the top performer for the match, scoring a 594 in smallbore and 598 in air rifle for a 1192 aggregate. Senior Sofia Ceccarello was second on the team with a 588 in smallbore and 597 in air rifle for a 1185 aggregate. Sophomore Sam Adkins was third overall with a 586 smallbore and 594 air rifle for a 1183 aggregate. Freshman Elisa Boozer posted a 579 in smallbore and 598 in air rifle for a 1177 aggregate, while fellow rookie Jacob St. Hilaire scored a 581 in smallbore and 595 in air rifle for a 1176 aggregate. Rounding out Kentucky’s scoring was Brandon Evans, who scored a 582 in smallbore and 592 in air rifle for a 1174 aggregate, while sophomore Hannah Todd scored a 568 in smallbore and 590 in air rifle for a 1158 aggregate.

Kentucky will return to action next Saturday at Navy, competing in a dual-match against the Midshipmen in Annapolis, Maryland.