Braden Peiser Posts Perfect 600, Rifle Defeats Murray State in Home Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior Braden Peiser started the 2026-27 home season off in style Saturday as he posted a perfect 600 score in air rifle, propelling the Wildcats to a dual-match victory over Murray State inside Barker Hall.
Peiser, who started his match with a 592 in smallbore, used that momentum to post the perfect 600 air rifle score. He scored 53 centers in the process, which was six centers off his career-best and NCAA-record tying score of 600-59x.
UK posted a 2341 in smallbore and 2383 in air rifle for a 4724 team aggregate score. Murray State scored a 2336 in smallbore and 2366 in air rifle for a 4702 team score. The two teams competed across one relay Saturday inside the UK Rifle Range inside Barker Hall.
“We saw some good things today and it was great to get the first home match of the season under our belts. Proud of Braden, that took a lot of determination and focus to do today. Also proud of Maggie and Jacob, who posted career bests in air rifle as well,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “We are a work in progress to get to a finished product, but that is why you have an entire season to compete. I think we did some good things today and I know the team will respond to practice this week and be ready to go again next weekend. Thanks to all of our fans that come out to support us. It was a great crowd and we really appreciate the support. Go Cats!”
Kentucky started the match in smallbore with a 2341 team score, which is the same team score it shot in the season opener last week at Georgia Southern. Braden Peiser led Kentucky with a 592, earning a 197 in kneeling, 199 in prone and 196 in standing with 37 centers. Elizabeth Peiser posted a 585 in smallbore with a 192 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 196 in standing with 31 centers.
Also countable Saturday in smallbore was freshman Maggie Palfrey, who scored a 583 with a 194 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 194 in standing. Junior Sam Adkins posted a 581 with a 194 in kneeling and prone 193 in standing. Freshman Iva Rakonjac was the final countable athlete with a 569, posting a 188 in kneeling, 191 in prone and 190 in standing.
Also competing in smallbore was freshman Noah Abzug with a 577, sophomore Eliza Boozer and junior Hannah Todd each shot a 571, while sophomore Jacob St. Hilaire posted a 582.
In air rifle, Braden Peiser led the way with his perfect score. St. Hilaire posted a career-best 597 with 49 centers, while Palfrey also scored a career best with a 597 and 49 centers. Adkins posted a 595 with 48 centers, while Rakonjac scored a 591 with 40 centers and Todd and Abzug earned 588s. Boozer concluded the scoring with a 585.
Braden Peiser took home the top overall honor from the match, scoring a 1192 aggregate. Palfrey was third with a 1180.
Kentucky will be back in action next Saturday vs. Akron inside Barker Hall. Finalized time for sights and prep will be announced next week.
