Feb. 21, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The third-ranked University of Kentucky rifle team will host the NCAA Qualifiers this weekend, with the Wildcats and Ole Miss set to hit the range Saturday at 8 a.m., while Murray State will and VMI will shoot Sunday at 8 a.m. Fans are encouraged to come check out the Wildcats on Saturday morning as there will be free donuts and coffee for those in attendance. All times are Eastern.

“After having a couple weeks off, we’re excited to get back into the competition,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “We’ve been working on a lot with focus and trying to work out the kinks from where we’ve made mistakes in the past.”

Kentucky’s counter for smallbore and air rifle include seniors Emily and Aaron Holsopple, sophomore Connor Davis and freshmen Heather Kirby and Sonya May.

The team scores at the NCAA Qualifiers contribute to the weighted average that determines the top-eight teams that qualify for the NCAA Championships. This weekend’s score is weighted 50 percent in the overall average, with the remaining 50 percent coming from an average of a team’s top-three scores over the course of the season, with no two scores allowed to come from the same site.

Kentucky enters the weekend after falling at No. 1 West Virginia, 4702-4688. Emily Holsopple delivered the best air rifle performance of the year for a Wildcat at West Virginia, shooting a 596 to go along with a 587 in smallbore. Davis finished above 590 in air rifle for the 11th time this year, posting a 592.

“This is going to be the last home match for our seniors so I know they are going to go out and make the most of it,” Mullins said. “I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished thus far and can’t wait to see them close the year out strong.”

Live scoring of the match will be available on UKrifle.com.