Feb. 28, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Led by senior Emily Holsopple being named Great America Rifle Conference Shooter of the Year, six members of the University of Kentucky rifle team were named all-conference, it was announced Friday night at the GARC Banquet.
“We’re really proud of everyone being honored tonight,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “Our whole team has worked incredibly hard this year and it’s great to see some of that being recognized.”
The awards piled up for Holsopple Friday night, winning Shooter of the Year, being named First Team All-Conference in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate, while also being selected as Senior of the Year and one of eight Scholar Athletes of the Year.
“Emily deserves all the accolades that she has received tonight,” Mullins said. “Shooter of the Year in this conference is a great honor and we’re very proud of her.”
Holsopple led the GARC in smallbore average at 585.43, while finishing third in air rifle average at 592.3.
A Second Team All-GARC honoree in smallbore and air rifle, freshman Sonya May was also recognized as Rookie of the Year. The Rockland, Mass., native averaged 579.57 in smallbore and 590.29 in air rifle.
“To come into this conference and win Rookie of the Year is an impressive feat,” Mullins said. “Sonya has really committed herself and I can’t wait to see her continue to grow over the next couple years.”
For the second consecutive year, sophomore Connor Davis was named First Team All-Conference in air rifle and honorable mention in smallbore.
Junior Jonathan Pinkel was named honorable mention in both air rifle and aggregate.
Junior Elijah Ellis and freshman Heather Kirby were each recognized for their air rifle performances, with Ellis being named Second Team All-Conference and Kirby being tabbed honorable mention.
Senior Aaron Holsopple’s 576.86 smallbore average earned him honorable mention.
2014 GARC AWARDS
Shooter of the Year –
Emily Holsopple, Kentucky
Rookie of the Year –
Sonya May, Kentucky
Senior of the Year –
Emily Holsopple, Kentucky
Coach of the Year – Butch Woolbright, Memphis
Assistant Coach of the Year – Rick Johnson, Army
Sportsmanship Award – Nebraska
Smallbore All-Conference
1st Team
Emily Holsopple – Kentucky
Garret Spurgeon – West Virginia
Dan Hermsmeier – Memphis
Rachel Martin – Nebraska
Joseph Todaro – Army
2nd Team
Meelis Kiisk – West Virginia
Sonya May – Kentucky
Michael Mathews – Army
Thomas Kyanko – West Virginia
Daniel Sojka – West Virginia
Lauren Phillips – Nebraska
Honorable Mention
Connor Davis – Kentucky
Patrick Sunderman -West Virginia
Denise Martin – Nebraska
Aaron Holsopple – Kentucky
Amy Fister – Memphis
Air Rifle – All-Conference
1st Team
Maren Prediger – West Virginia
Connor Davis – Kentucky
Emily Holsopple – Kentucky
Garret Spurgeon – West Virginia
Dan Hermsmeier – Memphis
2nd Team
Sonya May – Kentucky
Meelis Kiisk – West Virginia
Patrick Sunderman -West Virginia
Richard Calvin – Army
Elijah Ellis – Kentucky
Honorable Mention
Heather Kirby – Kentucky
Jonathan Pinkel – Kentucky
Elizabeth Lee – Memphis
Lauren Phillips – Nebraska
Alison Weisz – Ole Miss
Combined All-Conference
1st Team
Emily Holsopple – Kentucky
Garret Spurgeon – West Virginia
Dan Hermsmeier – Memphis
Connor Davis – Kentucky
Sonya May – Kentucky
2nd Team
Meelis Kiisk – West Virginia
Joseph Todaro – Army
Patrick Sunderman – West Virginia
Rachel Martin – Nebraska
Maren Prediger – West Virginia
Honorable Mention
Lauren Phillips – Nebraska
Thomas Kyanko – West Virginia
Denise Martin – Nebraska
Jonathan Pinkel – Kentucky
Michael Mathews – Army
Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Nebraska – Sunny Russell
Army – Olivia Nardone
Kentucky – Emily Holsopple
West Virginia – Maren Prediger
Memphis – Elizabeth Lee
Ole Miss – Abbey Stanec
NC State – Maddy Pike
Navy – Jodi Cull-Host
