Rifle squad enters 1999-00 season shorthanded.
(Dec. 16, 1999) — The University of Kentucky rifle team wages anuphill battle as it faces a highly competitive schedulewith just four shooters on its squad. The Wildcatslost six seniors, two recruits and two letterwinnerswho decided to transfer, and will use this year as atime to rebuild. Returning from a sixth-place finish atthe NCAA Championships last season, the Catsare struggling in competition this season because ofthe lack of competitors.
“The early part of the season started out shakybecause we only had four shooters,” Coach HarryMullins said. “Things went further down hill whenwe lost sophomore Garth LoBello to an injury thatkept him from shooting in two of our largermatches.”
LoBello competed in the Cats’ first two matches,versus Jacksonville State and Ohio State, beforebeing diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his shoulder. Mullins credits LoBellofor competing despite the pain. Had he not competed, the Cats would havehad to forfeit both matches.
LoBello is on his way to a full recovery and is expected to compete in bothsmallbore and air rifle during UK’s first match of the spring semester. TheCats take on Xavier at home on Jan. 22 and hope to bring a well-rested,more competitive squad to battle.
“The most positive thing that came out of the fall portion of our schedule isthat we learned to deal with working under the most stressful conditions,”Mullins said. “This will make us a stronger team in the spring and will benefitthe freshmen for the rest of their careers.”
The Wildcats are led by junior Taryn Lewis. Lewis has turned in consistentscores throughout the fall schedule but Mullins hopes to see her reach her fullcapability in the spring.
“We are waiting for Taryn to come out of her shell and really turn in strongscores in the spring,” Mullins said. “As the team captain, Taryn sometimestries too hard and overworks her efforts, which cause her to make small, yetcostly, mistakes.”
The remaining half of this year’s squad is composed of two experiencedfreshmen.
Crystal Hamilton comes to UK from Prosperity, Pa. and is eager to make animpact.
“Crystal has been our top shooter during the fall,” Mullins said. “She hasadjusted well to collegiate shooting and should turn in strong performancesthroughout the spring.”
The final member of the Cats’ squad is Robert Krukoski, brother of formerUK shooter Jill Krukoski. Krukoski has been a large contributor to thesuccess of UK’s smallbore team and looks to improve throughout the spring.
“Robert truly followed in the footsteps of his sister, as far as work ethic andconsistency are concerned,” Mullins said of the freshman. “His performancesso far in smallbore have been very good, and with a little work, his air riflescores will make an impact in the spring.”
Kentucky finished the 1998-99 season with an 85-11 overall record, whichwas highlighted by an 84-7 record in air rifle. The Cats were led by seniorMary Elsass, who is currently training in Colorado Springs, Colo. for the2000 Olympic team. Elsass, a four-time All-American, finished third insmallbore and fourth in air rifle at the 1999 NCAA Championships.
Highlighting the Cats’ spring schedule is the annual Withrow Invitational inMurray, Ky., on Jan. 29 and the Mid-American Rifle ConferenceChampionships in Jacksonville, Ala. on Feb. 25-27.
