Jan. 24, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky rifle team wrapped up competition at the Withrow Invitational Friday in Murray, Ky., shooting a 4683 at the Pat Spurgin Rifle Range.

“Overall I felt like we did well,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “We could have had a few more points in smallbore but I still thought we had some solid performances.”

Senior Emily Holsopple led the way in smallbore, delivering a 592, the highest smallbore total for a Wildcat since Henri Junghänel posted a 592 last season vs. Army.

“Emily did a great job in smallbore,” Mullins said. “It was one of the most impressive performances I have seen her put together.”

Led by Emily Holsopple’s 592, Kentucky opened the morning with a 2322 in smallbore.

As a counter, junior Jonathan Pinkel put together a 578 in smallbore, while senior Aaron Holsopple and freshman Heather Kirby each shot a 576. Freshman Sonya May recorded a 570.

In air rifle, Emily Holsopple added a 590 to bring her individual aggregate score to 1182. May led the Wildcats in the second event, shooting a 593. Fellow freshman Heather Kirby finished air rifle with a 591.

Junior Elijah Ellis and Pinkel rounded out the counters in air rifle, shooting a 587 and 586, respectively.

“We had some solid groups in air rifle but just had too many 9.9s,”Mullins said. “I feel that if we just keep working in practice we can push through those and bumps them up to 10s.

UK’s 2361 in air rifle bumped the team’s aggregate to 4683.

The Withrow Invitational will continue through the weekend so final standings will not be known until Sunday.