Rifle Begins 2026 with Two Tri-Matches in Alaska

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 2026 rifle season has arrived as the University of Kentucky rifle team will compete for the first time this new year in back-to-back tri-matches against Alaska and Nebraska in Fairbanks, Alaska on Saturday and Sunday.

Both matches will start at Noon ET and feature two relays. The first relay will compete in smallbore and then air rifle, followed by the same format for the second relay. Saturday’s action will take place at the Tanana Valley Sportsman Association, while Sunday’s will be a home match for Alaska in the E. F. Horton Rifle Range.

Live targets and a NCAA scorecard will be available all weekend long at UKathletics.com.

“Excited to get the 2026 season underway this weekend in Alaska,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “I think the team has done a good job in training camp since getting back on campus. We had a great day of practice and exploring yesterday and now we will turn the focus to the range and make sure we come up here and perform the way we want.”

Kentucky is averaging a 2348.71 as a team in smallbore this season and 2385.29 in air rifle. Those are good for a 4734 aggregate average this season. UK’s best score came in its last match of 2025, posting a 4750 in a home dual match vs. Murray State.

Braden Peiser has led Kentucky this season with a 1192.4 aggregate average, earning a 594.4 in smallbore and 598 in air rifle. Sam Adkins is having a great season as well with a 587.571 smallbore average and 597 air rifle average for a 1184.571 aggregate average. Sofia Ceccarello is third on the team in aggregate average with a 1183.5, earning 586.5 in smallbore and 596 in air rifle.

Liz Probst, Brandon Evans and Martin Voss are all averaging over 1171 aggregate averages. Probst is earning a 1180.267 with a 584.667 smallbore and 595.6 air rifle, while Evans is averaging a 581.286 smallbore and 592.143 air rifle with a 1173.429 aggregate. Voss is earning a 582.167 in smallbore and 589.167 in air rifle and 1171.334 aggregate average.

Freshmen Elisa Boozer and Jacob St. Hilaire are having good seasons. Boozer is earning a 575 smallbore average and 593.143 air rifle average for a 1168.143 aggregate average, while St. Hilaire is earning a 576 smallbore and 591.571 air rifle for a 1167.571 aggregate average.

Wrapping up UK’s roster is Hannah Todd averaging a 567.5 smallbore and 585.667 air rifle, while AJ Hotko is earning a 569 smallbore and 581.333 air rifle and Emily Marne is averaging 556.333 smallbore and 568 air rifle.

Alaska is averaging a 4720.75 aggregate this season led by Lucie Kissenberger with a 1181.625 aggregate average. Nebraska is earning a 4738.50 aggregate and is led by Emma Rhode, who is earning a 1189.857 aggregate.