Rifle Earns Another Strong Score, Edged by Nebraska in Overall Match
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky rifle team posted its second-best team score of the season Sunday, shining in air rifle with the best team score in that discipline in the match, but finished second in the quad-match with Nebraska, Mount Aloysius and Norwich at Army West Point.
Nebraska, coached by former UK All-America Richard Clark, had another sensational day in the range, really shining in smallbore with a nation’s-best 2369 team score. The Wildcats were just behind them at 2358. UK posted the highest air rifle score with a 2385, but Nebraska earned a 2378 to edge the Wildcats in overall aggregate score.
UK scored an impressive 4743 in the match, which is its second-best team score of the season and one of the highest team scores in the nation this season. Nebraska posted a 4747 to just squeeze out the victory. Mount Aloysius finished third with a 4556 and Norwich finished fourth with a 4381.
“Overall, I thought we performed well this weekend with some strong performances,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “Sam posting back-to-back career-high smallbore scores was impressive to see and Braden continues to perform at a really high level. We are early in the season and building for March and this team is in a good spot right now for their development. A lot of credit to Nebraska the last two days, they really competed well and are a fantastic team. Richard is doing a great job.”
Kentucky’ junior Braden Peiser earned the top individual spot at the event with a 1194 aggregate score, posting a 595 in smallbore and 599 in air rifle. Nebraska’s Emma Rhode finished second with a 1192, while Katlyn Sullivan tied for third with UK sophomore Sam Adkins at 1187. Adkins posted a career-high smallbore for the second-straight day with a 593 and followed with a 594 air rifle.
Four other Wildcats finished in the top 10 individually at the match with senior Sofia Ceccarello scoring a 1184 with a 586 smallbore and 598 air rifle. Sophomore Liz Probst and senior Brandon Evans each scored 1177 with Probst earning the seventh spot because of centers. She scored a 583 in smallbore and 594 in air rifle, while Evans was ninth overall with a 582 in smallbore and 595 in air rifle. Freshman Jacob St. Hilaire scored a 1175 aggregate with a 583 smallbore and 592 air rifle.
Wrapping up the scoring for Kentucky was senior Martin Voss with a 584 smallbore and 584 air rifle for a 1168 aggregate. Freshman Elisa Boozer scored a 571 smallbore and 594 air rifle for a 1165 aggregate, while sophomore Hannah Todd posted a 575 smallbore and 585 air rifle for a 1160 aggregate.
Kentucky will be off next weekend before hosting its first dual match of the season at the UK Rifle Range against Memphis on Nov. 8.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com.
