Seven Wildcats Named All-America

March 16, 2014

MURRAY, Ky. – After finishing third at the NCAA Championships, seven members of the University of Kentucky rifle team were honored as All-Americans, it was announced Saturday night following the NCAA Championships.

Senior Emily Holsopple racked up the honors, including being selected to the inaugural Lapua Coaches Association All-America First Team.

The Lapua Coaches Association All-American teams recognize the best overall shooters in the country, basing selections off of aggregate averages. The top-five averages are placed on the first team, with six through 10 on the second team and 11-15 on the third team.

Holsopple was also named First Team All-America in smallbore and air rifle by the NRA. This is the fourth time the senior has been received All-America honors in both guns.

“I know I say it a lot but it can’t be overdone, we are so proud of Emily,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “To be on the first team in the new coaches team is an impressive feat as it shows she has performed as one of the five-best shooters in the country this year. She has racked up the honors this year and with how she has worked over the past four years, they are completely deserving.”

After winning the individual air rifle title at the NCAA Championships, sophomore Connor Daivs was named Second Team All-America by the Lapua Coaches Association, to go along with NRA First Team All-America in air rifle and second team in smallbore.

Freshman Sonya May was named Third Team All-America by the Lapua Coaches Association, in addition to NRA Honorable Mention in smallbore and First Team All-America in air rifle.

“Connor and Sonya have both earned these honors,” Mullins said. “Connor has really put up some strong air rifle numbers over the year and Sonya really had a solid year for her first year in collegiate competition. It takes a lot of work to be considered one of the top-15 shooters in the country and these two have undoubtedly put in that work.”

Junior Elijah Ellis and freshman Heather Kirby were each named Second Team All-America in air rifle by the NRA, while junior Jonathan Pinkel was named honorable mention.

Senior Aaron Holsopple was named honorable mention in smallbore by the NRA.

Lapua Coaches Association Aggregate All-Americans

First Team

Emily Holsopple

Second Team

Connor Davis

Third Team

Sonya May

2014 NRA Collegiate All-Americans

Smallbore

First Team

Emily Holsopple

Second Team

Connor Davis

Honorable Mention

Aaron Holsopple

Sonya May

Air Rifle

First Team

Connor Davis

Emily Holsopple

Sonya May