Tucker, Shaner Earn Multiple CRCA All-America Honors
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association has announced its 2021 awards with University of Kentucky sophomore Mary Tucker earning three first-team All-America honors and Athlete of the Year, while junior Will Shaner also earned three first-team All-America nods, it was announced Thursday.
On top of Tucker’s athlete of the year honor, the native of Sarasota, Florida, earned first-team All-America honors in aggregate, smallbore and air rifle. This is the second straight season that Tucker had earned CRCA Athlete of the Year. She was also a CRCA First-Team All-America last season.
Shaner earned first-team All-America honors in aggregate, smallbore and air rifle. This is the third straight season the CRCA has honored Shaner as an All-American after he was first-team All-America last season and earned CRCA Rookie of the Year and All-America honors as a freshman.
“I am so excited for these athletes,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “They have worked so hard to keep themselves at a high level all year and it is nice to see them earn these honors. Mary earning athlete of the year two straight seasons in an impressive accomplishment and well-deserved.”
Tucker, who was named the most outstanding performer at the NCAA Championships last week, capped her sophomore season with NCAA individual championships in smallbore and air rifle. Tucker averaged 592.417 in smallbore and 597.75 in air rifle this season for an aggregate average of 1190.167. Tucker had the highest individual smallbore score in the nation this season of 597, while she was the only athlete in the nation to score 595 or higher in smallbore multiple times. In air rifle, Tucker was one of three athletes to post a perfect 600. Overall, Tucker scored a 1195 aggregate twice this season, which was the highest combined score in the nation.
Shaner had strong averages in both disciplines this season, earning a 589.25 in smallbore and 595.667 in air rifle for an aggregate average of 1184.917. Shaner finished second in air rifle at the NCAA Championships last week. Shaner was one of three athletes in the nation to score a 595 or higher in smallbore this season. In air rifle, Shaner was one of five athletes in the nation to post a 599 or higher in air rifle. Shaner scored 1190 or higher aggregates twice this season and was one of three athletes in the nation to accomplish that feat more multiple times.
Earlier this month, Kentucky earned its third national championship posting the highest ever team score in the modern format at the NCAA Rifle Championships. The national championship capped an impressive season for the Wildcats that included a new school-record team score and a share of the Great America Rifle Conference Regular-Season Championship.
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