MURRAY, Ky. — The University of Kentucky rifle team finished secondoverall with a total score of 6135 at the NCAA Sectionals this weekend inMurray, Ky. Host Murray State finished first with a total score of 6150. TheNCAA sectional meet at Murray was one of 10 sectional meets held aroundthe country to determine qualifiers for the NCAA Championships, March5-9, at Murray State University.

The top eight team, air rifle and smallborescores from around the country will reach the NCAA meet. Kentuckyscored 4621 points in the smallbore to take second place behind MurrayState. UK tallied 1537 points in the air rifle to tie with Murray State for firstplace. The Wildcats won the tiebreaker by hitting more center shots.

“It was one of lower scores of the season for us,” UK rifle coach HarryMullins said. “Hopefully we learned our lessons from this weekend and carrythem into the championships.”

Mullins expects the team and smallbore scores to qualify his team for theNCAA Championships but is hesitant about the air rifle results. “Right now,we are probably in the No. 6 of No. 7 spot in the air rifle,” Mullins said. “Wejust have to wait and see.” Kentucky will be notified officially by Feb. 21what seed they will receive in each of the disciplines for the championships.Sophomore All-America candidate Mary Elsass led the Wildcats in the airrifle with 387 points. Senior Erik Anderson led UK in the smallbore with1167 points.

Kentucky returns to action Feb. 22 at the Big Four Classic.