Tucker Earns Gold, Wildcats Second After Smallbore

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore Mary Tucker earned the top individual smallbore score, leading the Wildcats to the second-best smallbore team score during the first day of the 2021 Great America Rifle Conference Championships on Saturday. 
 
Tucker posted a 592 in smallbore, earning the top individual score in the discipline and the championship honor. Tucker’s 199 in kneeling tied the top score in kneeling with Taylor Gibson from Memphis. Will Shaner posted a 589 in smallbore Saturday, placing tied for third with Gibson and Jared Eddy from West Virginia. Gibson broke the tiebreaker to official claim the bronze medal.
 
Also in UK’s smallbore rotation Saturday was sophomore Jaden Thompson, earning a 579, while senior Hailee Sigmon earned a 578. Junior Richard Clark rounded out the lineup with a 577. Overall, UK posted a 2338 smallbore team score, which places the Wildcats second at the end of day one competition. WVU is in the lead with a 2346, while Army is in third with a 2330.
 
UK’s entire squad performed in the event Saturday with junior Mitchell Nelson earning a 577, sophomore Emmie Sellers a 575, sophomore Mason Hamilton a 572 and senior Mason Joachim a 570.
 
“I felt it was a struggle today at times for our squad in some areas that we are normally are better at,” UK head coach Harry Mullins today. “However, I think the group learned some valuable lessons today on how to power through those struggles. Even though it was virtual, I think all our shooters really pushed themselves. This was a great opportunity for our squad to learn and move forward and I’m looking forward to air rifle tomorrow.” 
 
For the first time, the GARC Championships are being held virtual as all nine teams are competing inside their home ranges across two days to crown individual and team champions for 2021.
 
All nine GARC teams – Army, Akron, Kentucky, Memphis, Navy, NC State, Nebraska, Ole Miss and West Virginia – are competing in the event. The teams started Saturday with smallbore three position (60 shots), while the championships close Sunday with air rifle (60 shots). Unlike past GARC Championships, the top individual honors will be given based on an individual’s score during the regular competition as no finals will be shot due to the virtual format.
 
Every school but Akron will be using results.megalink.no for live targets, while the Zips will use their normal live target software. NCAArifle.org will be updated frequently throughout the event keeping a live scoreboard of all the action.
 
At the conclusion of air rifle Sunday, a team champion will be crowned based on the total team aggregate from both smallbore and air rifle. Kentucky, Ole Miss and West Virginia each won a share of the regular-season title in 2021.
 
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.
 
GARC Championships – Smallbore – Saturday, Feb. 27
Smallbore
Team Standings
1. West Virginia – 2346
2. Kentucky – 2338
3. Army – 2330
4. Memphis – 2327
5. Ole Miss – 2319
5. NC State – 2319
7. Akron – 2308
7. Navy – 2308
9. Nebraska – 2297
 
First Place
Mary Tucker, Kentucky – 592
 
Second Place
Tal Engler, WVU – 590
 
Third Place
Taylor Gibson, Memphis – 589
 
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.