Mary Tucker Leads after First Stage of Air Rifle Olympic Trials

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Freshman Mary Tucker, who posted a total score of 1256.4 in air rifle shooting, emerged as the women’s leader after the first stage of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. 
 
The Sarasota, Florida native finished ahead of some of the nation’s best shooters, including 2016 Olympic champion Ginny Thrasher, among others. Tucker placed third in the opening stage of Olympic Team Trials in smallbore shooting in October.
 
Sophomore Will Shaner sits in third in men’s air rifle, scoring a 1255.0. Sophomore Ruby Gomes is in 11th after the first stage of women’s air rifle with a total of 1241.9. Gomes posted the second-best score for a junior competitor, behind only Tucker.
 
The Olympic Team Trials consists of two stages of competition. The second stage is set for February 7-9 in Colorado Springs. The United States has secured a maximum eight quota spots in rifle for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, including two men’s air rifle and two in women’s air rifle. The top two athletes in each gender will be named to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team following the second stage.
 
Full results from the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials can be found at https://bit.ly/2RF5hQa.
 
The Wildcats will return to team competition on January 11 when they travel to Columbus, Ohio to take on Alaska and Ole Miss.
 
For the latest on the Kentucky rifle team, follow @UKrifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.
 
Final Standings Leaders:
Women’s 10m Air Rifle
1. Mary Tucker – 1256.4
11. Ruby Gomes – 1241.9
48. Jaden Thompson – 1228.0
 
Men’s 10m Air Rifle
3. Will Shaner – 1251.5
25. Richard Clark – 1230.9
38. Mason Hamilton – 1218.7
51. Mitchell Nelson – 1208.6
52. Ian Foos – 1208.6