COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Several Kentucky rifle student-athletes traveled to the USA Shooting facility to compete in the Winter Airgun Championships, held last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo.
UK sent several members of its 2010-11 rifle team to the Olympic Training Center to compete in the Winter Airgun Championships, with the competition a key ingredient to making the USA World Cup roster. The three-day event featured strong performances from current Wildcats, including Emily Holsopple, Megan English, Henri Junghanel, Ethan Settlemires, Logan Fox, Ed Ryznar and Katie Fretts. In addition, former UK stars Amy Sowash, Ashley Jackson and Tom Csenge participated in the event, with the three residing in Colorado Springs as part of the USA Shooting team.
In day one of competition, Holsopple had the best match, totaling a third-place finish (495.6) among women and a second-place finish (495.3) among junior women (under 20). Holsopple was joined in the women results by Sowash (fifth place; 494.4), Jackson (sixth place; 493.6) and English (seventh place; 492.3). Fretts, the reigning Great American Rifle Conference Rookie of the Year, placed 12th among junior women with a 384.
Among the men in day one, Csenge totaled the highest finish, placing sixth with a 691.8. Junghanel totaled a 12th place finish with a 594, while Settlemires totaled a 586 and Fox totaled a 580. Among the juniors, Ryznar finished 11th with a 579.
In the second day, Sowash finished second among the women with a 498.2, while Jackson totaled a sixth-place finish with a 492.8. English finished 15th with a 388, while Fretts totaled a 387 and Holsopple a 385. Among the junior women, English’s 388 were good for seventh, Fretts’ 387 ranked eighth and Holsopple checked in 10th. Among the men, Settlemires totaled a 692.5, good for a sixth-place finish. Csenge placed eighth with a 687.6, while Junghanel totaled a 10th-place finish with a 594. Ryznar finished 13th with a 588 and Fox totaled a 583. Ryznar finished third among junior men.
On the third day of competition, Holsopple shined, winning the air rifle women junior competition with a 499.8. Overall in the women’s competition, Holsopple finished third, while Sowash totaled a 497.1, good for a fourth-place finish. Jackson and English finished with a 389, while Fretts contributed a 387. Among the junior women, English placed seventh and Fretts placed ninth. On the men’s side, Csenge totaled a 691.1, good for a sixth-place finish. Junghanel totaled a 593 to finish 10th,while Ryznar and Settlemires totaled a 585. Ryznar finished fourth among the junior men, with a final score of 684.5.
Kentucky will return to action on Jan. 9, facing Columbus State in West Point, N.Y.
