MURRAY, Ky. — The University of Kentucky rifle team scored 6175points to take second place overall at the NCAA Rifle ChampionshipsSaturday in Murray, Ky.
The Wildcats tallied 4637 points in the smallboreand 1538 points in the air rifle for second place in each discipline. Theoverall team finish is determined by the combined points in smallbore and airrifle. It is the highest overall team finish at the NCAA Championships in UKrifle history. In each of the last three years, the Wildcats finished third overall.Senior Mike Boggs led the Wildcats in the small bore with 1167 points andElsass led UK in the air rifle with 388 points.
“Moving up to second place shows the dedication of these athletes,” UK riflecoach Harry Mullins said. “I’m really proud of them. This is probably one ofthe best teams Kentucky has ever assembled.”
Kentucky also had two shooters named to the Collegiate Rifle Coaches’Association All-America Team. Sophomore Mary Elsass made the first teamin air rifle while senior Erik Anderson made the second team in smallbore.West Virginia scored 6223 points, 4675 in smallbore and 1548 in air rifle, towin all three national titles. Alaska-Fairbanks finished third in the overall teamstandings, small bore and air rifle.
Team Standings
1. West Virginia, 6223
2. Kentucky, 6175
3. Alaska-Fairbanks, 6171
Air Rifle
1. West Virginia, 1548
2. Kentucky, 1538
3. Alaska-Fairbanks, 1537
Small Bore
1. West Virginia, 4675
2. Kentucky, 4637
3. Alaska-Fairbanks, 4634
UK Finishers
Air Rifle- Mary Elsass, 388; Owen Blakemore, 386; Mike Boggs, 383; ErikAnderson, 381. Small Bore- Mike Boggs, 1167; Mary Elsass, 1164; ErikAnderson, 1157; Owen Blakemore, 1149.