Current and Future UK Rifle Stars Shine at USA Junior Olympic Nationals
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Current and future members of the University of Kentucky rifle team put together a good week of performances last week at the 2025 National Junior Olympic Championships.
Sophomore Braden Peiser was the top performer, finishing top seven in both air rifle and smallbore. For his efforts, Peiser was named to USA Shooting’s Junior Pan American Games Air Rifle Team. He finished seventh overall in air rifle and took home the silver in smallbore. At the conclusion of the weekend, Peiser was honored with the Civilian Marksmanship Program Distinguished International Shooters Badge, which is the highest honor in international marksmanship. He is one of three USA Shooting athletes to earn the honor in 2024.
Freshman Brandon Evans had a good performance in both disciplines, finishing third in air rifle and 14th in smallbore. Fellow freshman Sam Adkins finished sixth in air rifle and seventh in smallbore, while junior AJ Hotko finished 12th in both disciplines.
On the women’s side, freshman Liz Probst finished 10th in air rifle and 36th in smallbore, while fellow freshman Hannah Todd was 73rd in air rifle and 80th in smallbore.
Two future Wildcats had good performances with incoming newcomers Elisa Boozer and Jacob St. Hilaire each doing well. Boozer finished 82nd in air rifle and 67th in smallbore, while St. Hilaire finished 13th in air rifle and 24th in smallbore. His finish in air rifle was third place in U18 category.
For more information on the Kentucky rifle team, visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
2025 National Junior Olympic Championships
10m Air Rifle Men’s
3. Brandon Evans
6. Sam Adkins
7. Braden Peiser
12. AJ Hotko
13. Jacob St. Hilaire (U18 3rd Place)
10m Air Rifle Women’s
10. Liz Probst
73. Hannah Todd
82. Elisa Boozer
197. Emily Marne
50m Three-Position Men’s
2. Braden Peiser
7. Samuel Adkins
12. AJ Hotko
14. Brandon Evans
24. Jacob St. Hilaire
50m Three-Position Women’s
36. Liz Probst
67. Elisa Boozer
80. Hannah Todd
