Probst Perfect, Cats Set NCAA Record with 4762 Team Score
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Sophomore Liz Probst had to know what was riding on her final shot of the day Saturday, personally. But she had no clue what was riding on it for her team.
With elite concentration, Probst calming pulled the trigger on a 10.4x, giving her a perfect air rifle score of 600 for the first time in her career.
What she didn’t know – because she cannot see her teammates scores from the line – was that shot along with a 10 from senior Sofia Ceccarello gave Kentucky the history it has been seeking – the first team to break 4760.
As her teammates poured out of the armory into the range clapping, those on the line soon realized that Kentucky had posted a team score of 4762, breaking a NCAA record and setting a new benchmark nationally.
“In air, I just felt really good today. I had a couple of things that weren’t going my way, but I knew how to manipulate a couple of things and keep it in,” Probst said. “When I got to 46, it was just too much, my brain was going way to fast. So I came off the line and talked to Coach Cat. I had shot a couple 600s in practice before and had just shot 46 10s so there is no reason that I cannot shoot 14 more. Once I established that, I went back up and found a pace and just stuck to that pace.”
The Wildcats posted a NCAA-record tying 2395 in air rifle on top of a 2367 in smallbore to secure the impressive team score. Overall, it was a total team effort to take down Akron in historic fashion 4762-4690.
“Just really proud of our effort and determination today,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “I mean, 4762 speaks for itself as far as how hard this team has worked and how each person is lifting themselves and each other up daily. We have to keep at it and not let that slip. Liz was just amazing today in air. Her maturity really started to blossom with how she was able to lock in and trust her training. Happy for them and ready to get back at it tomorrow.”
Kentucky will return to action Sunday when it hosts North Georgia for a dual match inside the UK Rifle Range. Sights and prep for smallbore will begin at 9 a.m. ET with air rifle getting underway at approx. 11:30 a.m. ET . There will only be one relay Sunday. Spectators are invited to watch the live stream of the match up in Barker Hall and enjoy free breakfast during the first part of the relay. The range will be open to spectators for air rifle. Admission is free.
Another way for fans to follow along both in-person and watching at home will be live stream online to help provide a breakdown of the action and how the teams and competitors are performing. Former UK All-American Billy Azzinaro, who helped lead UK to the 2018 NCAA Championship, will be providing commentary of the action on Saturday and Sunday. The live stream will be available on YouTube and through the UK Rifle Facebook Page, along with live targets and a NCAA scorecard.
Kentucky posted a 2395 team score in air rifle to secure the win. The Wildcats now have the highest air rifle team score in the nation this season with the second-highest smallbore team score and highest team aggregate score.
In air rifle, it was obviously Probst that led the way with her perfect 600 – the first of her career. Ceccarello was just behind her with 599 while sophomore Sam Adkins and junior Braden Peiser each posted 598s. Senior Martin Voss scored a 590, while junior Emily Marne posted a 576.
Kentucky started the match by shining in smallbore, posting a 2367 team score, which was UK’s second-highest smallbore team score of the season. It was Peiser that led Kentucky, posting a career-high tying 597 with 44 centers. Peiser scored a 197 in kneeling, but then followed with perfect 200 scores in both prone and standing for the strong score.
Ceccarello also performed well in smallbore, earning a 594, which was one off her career-best mark in the discipline. Ceccarello scored a 197 in kneeling, perfect 200 in prone and 197 in standing with 38 total centers.
Voss, Adkins and Probst each scored 588s to round out UK’s countable lineup. Voss posted a 194 in kneeling, perfect 200 in prone and 194 in standing with 37 total centers, while Adkins scored a 196 in kneeling, 198 in prone and 194 in standing with 28 centers. Probst scored a 194 in kneeling, 195 in prone and 199 in standing with 37 total centers. Rounding out UK’s relay was Marne with a 559, scoring a 190 in kneeling, 194 in prone and 175 in standing.
Kentucky athletes finished top five in the individual aggregate standings with Peiser scoring a 1195 with 98 total centers, while Ceccarello had a 1193 with 89 centers and Probst a 1188 with 90 centers. Adkins was fourth with a 1186 with 81 centers, while Voss was fifth with a 11178 and 79 centers.
Akron was led by Matthew Kimball, who posted a 586 in smallbore and 591 in air rifle for a 1177 aggregate and 70 centers.
North Georgia is averaging a 2301.89 smallbore and 2348.22 air rifle for a 4650.11 aggregate average. Bri Walter is the leader for NGU, earning a 1161.334 aggregate average.
