Mary Tucker Wins Women’s Air Rifle 10M Gold at ISSF World Cup
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky sophomore Mary Tucker added to her trophy case Saturday as she excelled on the international stage winning the International Shooting Sport Federation Women’s Air Rifle 10m Gold Medal.
This is Tucker’s first medal on the international stage as the United States went gold and silver in the 10M women’s air rifle final. Former Ole Miss star Alison Weisz claimed silver. Of her 24 shots in the final, Tucker scored 10.1 or higher 23 times with her only off bullseye being a 9.9 in her 23rd shot. The native of Sarasota, Florida, scored 10.5x or higher 11 times with one perfect 10.9x.
After the first five shots, Tucker trailed Weisz by 0.1 but went 10.2x, 10.8x, 10.8x, 10.6x, 10.5x in the second five shots to claim a 0.5 lead she would not relinquish heading into the elimination rounds. Tucker then set the tone with her first shot in the elimination rounds with a 10.9x. She finished with a total of 251.5, which was over a point better than Weisz at silver with a 250.4. Eszler Denies finished third at 230.2.
It has been an impressive last eight days for Tucker, who last weekend was named the most outstanding performer at the NCAA Championships. The sophomore took home every top crown you could at the championships, winning smallbore individual gold, air rifle individual gold and the overall crown. All the while, she led the Wildcats to smallbore team gold, air rifle team silver and the overall national championship – the third in program history.
Earlier this week, Tucker was tabbed the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Athlete of the Year for the second straight season. She also earned three top honors from the CRCA named a combined, smallbore and air rifle first-team All-America honoree. This is the second straight season she has earned first-team All-America honors from the CRCA.
During her sophomore season with the Wildcats, 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.
Junior Will Shaner is also competing at the ISSF World Cup and finished 11th in men’s 10m air rifle. Shaner was the silver medalists in air rifle at last weekend’s NCAA Championships and earlier this week was named a first-team All-American in smallbore, air rifle and combined by the CRCA.
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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