LEXINGTON, Ky. — Behind a team-high smallbore score from Heather Greathouse and a school-record air rifle total from Henri Junghänel, the Kentucky rifle team posted a 4668-4650 win over tradition-rich Alaska-Fairbanks, on Wednesday at UK’s Barker Hall.
“I was happy with the performance,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “Our air rifle numbers could have been better, but I think we showed some things that we can work on. Alaska is a great program, a really great opponent and the type of team your guys can get excited to face. I was really glad that we were able to get a win.”
Kentucky (7-1) got strong outings from Greathouse and Junghänel, as the duo led UK to its first official win of the spring season. Greathouse paced UK in smallbore with a 584, also contributing a 582 in air rifle, while Junghänel led the team with a 596 in air rifle, a school record, while also adding a 578 in smallbore.
“That was pretty to watch,” Mullins said about Junghänel’s school-record 596 in air rifle. “He worked very hard for that. For him to get that score, I think he feels a sense of accomplishment and I am excited for him. He is starting to get into the 597-598 range, which he is a certainly capable of. For him to be able to achieve that score is a great sign of his work ethic.”
The Wildcats also got strong outings from senior Logan Fox, who totaled a 587 in air rifle and a 579 in smallbore. Freshman Emily Holsopple finished with a 585 in air rifle and a 579 in smallbore, Stacy Wheatley charted a 589 in air rifle, while Ed Ryznar and Ethan Settlemires each totaled a 585 in air rifle. Megan English contributed a 583 in air rifle and Katie Fretts had a 577 in air rifle.
“Heather hung in there in smallbore and had a good performance,” Mullins said. “Her kneeling wasn’t as good as it normally is but she still put up a good score and led the team. She is starting to feel really confident in smallbore. The performance she gave in smallbore was very solid. She is getting confident in her decision-making process and her performance today was real solid.”
Kentucky is returning to action on Friday, traveling to Oxford, Miss., to face Ole Miss and Memphis on Friday and Saturday.
