Kentucky Rifle Announces 2019-20 Schedule
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky rifle team unveiled a challenging schedule that will feature four opponents that placed in the top eight of last year’s NCAA National Championships.
After finishing fifth a season ago, the Wildcats will have the honor of hosting this year’s NCAA Championships in Memorial Coliseum. The two-day event will take place on March 13 and 14. Kentucky has won the championship twice this decade. More information on ticket sales for the NCAA Championship will be announced at a later date.
“It’s going to be challenging just to get to the championship,” head coach Harry Mullins said. “I’m looking forward to having a great championship. Obviously, first we have to get there, but I think this group can do some special things. Our primary focus is to get better every day, and I think you’ll see some pretty cool things from this group moving forward.”
The Wildcats will kick off the season on the road against an in-state foe on Oct. 12 in Murray State, who finished fourth at last season’s NCAA Championships. Kentucky opens their home schedule at the Buell Armory on Oct. 19 for the Kentucky Long Rifle Match against Murray State and Morehead State.
The team will head west to Colorado for a one-match road trip when the Wildcats take on Great American Rifle Conference rival Nebraska along with host Air Force and UTEP. Air Force finished third at the NCAA Championships last season.
The month of November provides plenty of opportunities to see the Cats in person, as Kentucky will host three GARC opponents starting with Ole Miss on Nov. 8. Akron travels to Lexington on Nov. 10, and Navy rounds out the fall schedule on Nov. 16. Navy placed seventh at the NCAA Championships a year ago.
“Our schedule is going to be challenging,” Mullins said. “Every year is going to be more and more challenging, as the parity is getting closer and closer throughout the country from one year to the next. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m excited for the kids. I’m excited for the program to start another season. I think we’re very hungry and enthusiastic.”
Kentucky begins their winter portion of their schedule with three road trips. The Wildcats will make the quick drive up to Columbus, Ohio on Jan. 11 to take part in a tri-match with Alaska Fairbanks and Ole Miss. West Point, New York is up next, as UK goes to challenge conference opponents NC State and Army on Jan. 18 and Jan. 19. The final stop before heading home is the Withrow Invitational on Jan. 25 in Murray, Kentucky.
After returning from a month of road games, Kentucky will take on Memphis in the friendly confines of the Buell Armory on Feb. 1. The Wildcats will then head to Morgantown to compete against last year’s national runner-up and nineteen-time national champions West Virginia on Feb 15.
Kentucky will also host the NCAA Qualifiers in Lexington on Feb. 22 before the GARC Championships on Feb. 28 and 29 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Wildcats return three of its starting five from a season ago in junior Hailee Sigmon and sophomores Richard Clark and Will Shaner. Shaner competed at the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy representing the United States Team this summer. Shaner finished 12th in the men’s air rifle and eighth in the mixed team event.
For the latest on the Kentucky rifle team, follow @UKrifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
