Feb. 10, 2003

The Kentucky Rifle Cats took a gigantic step toward qualifying for next month’s NCAA Rifle Championships by taking first place Sunday, Feb. 9 in the NCAA Rifle Sectional at Murray State. Kentucky compiled an aggregate score of 6200, edging Murray State’s total of 6178. The 6200 score is UK’s best aggregate score since the Rifle Cats posted a 6214 aggregate on Oct. 26, 2002 in defeating Ohio State.

Leading the way for the Rifle Cats was two-time All-American Bradley Wheeldon. The Eubank, Ky. native swept both the smallbore and air rifle events to lead all competitors with a personal-best 1580 (out of a possible 1600) aggregate score. Freshman Vicki Goss, a Palmyra, Pa. native, also contributed a strong performance with an aggregate 1554, good for third-best overall.

Kentucky Coach Harry Mullins likes the Rifle Cats’ chances of getting back to the national championships.

“Our student-athletes knew what was at stake today, and they turned in a great performance. We have a good shot at qualifying for the NCAA Championships based on today’s effort,” Mullins said.

Kentucky must now wait until Feb. 24 for the NCAA’s announcement of the participants in the NCAA Rifle Championships March 13-15 in West Point, N.Y. Kentucky’s chances of making the championships depend upon the performances of rifle squads in NCAA Sectional meets across the country.

Eight squads will be selected to compete in both the smallbore and air rifle events based on their scores in their respective sectionals. In addition, anywhere from 10 to 15 individual qualifiers will be selected.

Kentucky will return to action this Saturday, Feb. 15 at Jacksonville State before competing in the Great American Rifle Conference Championship Feb. 21-23 in Cincinnati.

AGATE:

Kentucky          Prone     Standing     Kneeling     Total     Air Rifle     TotalBradley Wheeldon  399       391          394          1184      396           1580Lindsey Meagher   395       368          389          1152                    1152Melody Cook       398       371          377          1146      386           1532Vicki Goss        398       372          393          1163      391           1554Jeff Hamberg                                                    382           382Total             1590      1502         1553         4645      1555          6200

Aggregate Scores
1. Kentucky 62002. Murray State 61783. Jacksonville St. 6171