LEXINGTON, Ky. — Megan English and Heather Greathouse had standout performances, as the Kentucky rifle team faced off with the United States Army Marksmanship Unit in an air rifle exhibition match, held on Tuesday at UK’s Barker Hall.

Kentucky (9-1) hosted the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) in the exhibition, with English and Greathouse leading the team. A total of 12 shooters shot in the exhibition, including six UK shooters, with no team score tallied. The shooters shot the regular NCAA 600-point course and then concluded the match with a final round.

The match served as a final tune-up for UK’s regular-season finale matchup with powerhouse West Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 5, with the Mountaineers considered the top team in the NCAA.

“We were really glad to get a chance to get out on the range today and shoot against some really good competition,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “No amount of training can simulate a match-type of situation on the line and this provided us a great chance to experience that before the West Virginia match.”

English led UK with a 590, with Greathouse adding a 588. Senior Logan Fox added a 583, Ethan Settlemires totaled a 582, Ed Ryznar had a 579 and Stacy Wheatley had a 576. Wheatley had a great final round, totaling a 103.5.

“I was really happy for Megan (English),” Mullins said. “She shot really well and we need her to continue that into the rest of the season. It was also good to see Stacy (Wheatley) have a good final round. Overall, I was just happy we could get out on the range in a competitive environment in preparation for Saturday’s match.”

USAMU was led by Josh Olson’s 597, with two-time Olympian Jamie Beyerle totaling a 596. Olson is a para-olympic shooter who was wounded in combat in Iraq. Beyerle has participated in two Olympics and placed fourth in smallbore in the Athens Olympics. Chris Abalo, a four-time All-American in both air rifle and smallbore, is one of the most decorated athletes in Army athletics history.

Total Scores

1)    Josh Olson  597+105.0=702.0
2)    Jamie Beyerle 596+ 105.1=701.1
3)    Chris Abalo 590 +102.2=692.2
4)    Megan English 590 + 101.4=691.4
5)    Hank Gray 587 + 103.3=690.3
6)    George Norton 588 + 100.8=688.8
7)    Heather Greathouse 588 + 100.2= 688.2
8)    Rhonda Bright 584 + 101.9=685.9
9)    Ethan Settlemires 582+103.7=685.7
10)    Ed Ryznar 579 + 100.9=679.9
11)    Logan Fox 583 + 96.5 =679.5
12)    Stacy Wheatley 576 + 103.5= 679.5