No. 1 WVU Defeats No. 3 Kentucky in GARC Finale
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 3 University of Kentucky rifle team couldn’t find its groove Saturday as it posted a 4716 team score in a loss to No. 1 West Virginia.
Kentucky posted a 2339 in smallbore and 2377 in air rifle, while WVU posted a 2358 in smallbore and 2391 in air rifle for a 4749 team aggregate and the victory. The dual-match win gives WVU the regular-season Great America Rifle Conference Championship.
“Wasn’t our day in the range today but I think this was a good lesson for us and we will regroup and bounce back,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “There were some good performances, like Brandon’s career high air rifle and Sam had a good day in smallbore.”
Kentucky was led in smallbore by Sam Adkins, who posted a 588, including 196 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 195 in standing. Junior Sofia Ceccarello posted a 587 with a 197 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 193 in standing. Fellow junior Martin Voss scored a 585 with a 195 in kneeling, 199 in prone and 191 in standing, while senior Ally Buesseler posted a 579 with a 190 in kneeling, 198 in prone and 191 in standing. Freshman Liz Probst wrapped up the first relay with a 577 in smallbore, scoring a 191 in kneeling, 195 in prone and 191 in standing. In the second relay, freshman Brandon Evans shot a 578 with a 189 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 192 in standing, while junior AJ Hotko posted a 187 in kneeling, 197 in prone and 188 in standing for a 572. Freshman Hannah Todd posted a 555 while sophomore Emily Marne scored a 522.
In air rifle, Ceccarello led Kentucky with a 597 and 52 centers, while Buesseler and Probst each scored a 594. Voss added a 592 with 44 centers, while Adkins concluded the first relay with a 590 and 43 centers. In the second relay, Evans was the star for Kentucky with a 597, which is a personal best score in the discipline. Todd scored a 589, while Hotko posted a 591 and Marne a 573.
This weekend’s match concludes regular-season competition for Kentucky, which will host a NCAA Qualifier with Morehead State on Feb. 22 inside the UK Rifle Range. Postseason competition begins March 1-2 with the Great America Rifle Conference Championships in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Historic Memorial Coliseum is set to host the 2025 NCAA Rifle National Championships on March 14-15 and both all-session tickets and single-session tickets are now on sale. The two-day event will see the best air rifle and smallbore competitors in the nation compete on the Historic Memorial Coliseum floor. The smallbore competition will be March 14 followed by air rifle competition on March 15. All-session and single-session tickets are on sale now through the UK Athletics Account Manager. All-session tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-18) and seniors (age 65+). Single-session tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for youth (ages 3-18) and seniors (age 65+). Children ages 2 and under will be admitted free of charge.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
