Tucker, Shaner, Clark, Thompson Named All-GARC Honorees

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore Mary Tucker has been named the Great America Rifle Conference Shooter of the Year for the second straight season, while Tucker, juniors Will Shaner and Richard Clark and sophomore Jaden Thompson, have been tabbed All-GARC honorees, it was announced by the conference Friday.
 
In addition to the top conference honor, Tucker took home All-GARC first-team honors in smallbore, air rifle and combined. Shaner also took home first-team All-GARC honors in those three categories, while Clark was honorable mention in smallbore. Thompson was named an All-GARC Scholar Athlete of the Year.
 
“I am very proud of the effort that all our honorees have given all year,” said UK head coach Harry Mullins. “Even though some of the matches had to be done virtually, the whole conference has worked very hard to stay on track throughout the year. It is always a great honor to receive these awards and seeing the work that the individuals have put in makes you very proud.”
 
Tucker led everyone in the conference with a 592.25 average in smallbore this season with Shaner placing third in that category with a 588.25 average. Clark averaged 582.13 in the discipline. In air rifle, Shaner and Tucker finished tied for second as each fired a 597.25 average. Tucker was the top combined shooter at 1189.500, while Shaner was third at 1185.500.
 
In the NCAA this season, there have been four individual smallbore scores of 595 or higher with Tucker earning two of those and Shaner one. Tucker tied an NCAA and school record with a 597 recently, also adding a 595 score in the discipline. Shaner posted a 595 against Murray State earlier this season. The two have also shined in air rifle with Tucker earning one of three perfect 600 scores in the nation, while she also has two 599s. Shaner has fired one 599 and posted a 597 or higher in air rifle an impressive six times.
 
Tucker is the only shooter in the NCAA to fire a 1195 or higher aggregate this season, accomplishing the feat twice. Shaner has fired two 1191s and is one of three athletes in the nation to fire that aggregate score or higher.
 
Clark earned his honorable mention honor after posting five scores of 580 or better in smallbore, including a career best 591 back in January. Thompson, a native of Bloomington, Illinois, is having a great season in the range and is excelling in the classroom. The animal science pre-vet major is planning to attend veterinary school after she graduates and become a large animal veterinarian.
 
Saturday and Sunday, Kentucky will compete virtually in the GARC Championships. Earlier this week, Kentucky qualified for its 27th NCAA Rifle Championships. The championships will be held at Converse Hall in Columbus, Ohio, on March 12-13.
 
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.  
 
All-GARC Honorees
First-Team Smallbore
Mary Tucker, Kentucky
Lea Horvath, Ole Miss
Will Shaner, Kentucky
Jared Eddy, WVU
Emily Cheramie, Nebraska
 
Second-Team Smallbore
Akihito Shimizu, WVU
Molly McGhin, WVU
Verena Zaisberger, WVU
Kristen Derting, Ole Miss
Erin Walsh, Ole Miss
 
Honorable Mention Smallbore
Matt Sanchez, WVU
Taylor Gibson, Memphis
Tal Engler, WVU
Richard Clark, Kentucky
Abby Buesseler, Ole Miss
Jillian Zakrzeski, Ole Miss
Makenzie Sheffield, NC State
 
First-Team Air Rifle
Lea Horvath, Ole Miss
Will Shaner, Kentucky
Mary Tucker, Kentucky
Akihito Shimizu, WVU
Calista Smoyer, WVU
 
Second-Team Air Rifle
Becca Lamb, WVU
Molly McGhin, WVU
Verena Zaisberger, WVU
Matt Sanchez, WVU
Sarah Osborn, WVU
 
Honorable Mention Air Rifle
Kristen Derting, Ole Miss
Taylor Gibson, Memphis
Travis Stockton, NC State
Mark Amdahl, Navy
Martina Gratz, Ole Miss
 
First-Team Combined
Mary Tucker, Kentucky
Lea Horvath, Ole Miss
Will Shaner, Kentucky
Akihito Shimizu, WVU
Jared Eddy, WVU
 
Second-Team Combined
Molly McGhin, WVU
Verena Zaisberger, WVU
Kristen Derting, Ole Miss
Matt Sanchez, WVU
Emily Cheramie, Nebraska
 
Honorable Mention Combined
Becca Lamb, WVU
Calista Smoyer, WVU
Taylor Gibson, Memphis
Sarah Osborn, WVU
Erin Walsh, Ole Miss
 
Shooter of the Year
Mary Tucker, Kentucky
 
Rookie of the Year
Lea Horvath, Ole Miss
 
Senior of the Year
Emily Cheramie, Nebraska
 
Coach of the Year
Marsha Beasley, Ole Miss
 
Asst Coach of the Year
JP Lucas, Ole Miss
 
Sportsmanship Award
Ole Miss
 
Scholar Athletes of the Year
Kinga Aletto, Nebraska
Anusha Pakkam, Army
Jaden Thompson, Kentucky
Verena Zaisberger, WVU
Taylor Gibson, Memphis
Abby Buesseler, Ole Miss
John Peterson, NC State
Torrance Kang, Navy
Rebecca Spencer, Akron