Sofia Ceccarello Joins UK Rifle Staff as Graduate Assistant Coach
LEXINGTON, Ky. – One of the most decorated athletes in University of Kentucky rifle history will be extending her stay in Lexington a little longer as Sofia Ceccarello has joined the staff as a graduate assistant coach for the 2026-27 season, it was announced recently.
Ceccarello just completed a successful four-year career as a Wildcat, helping Kentucky to several school records and a second-place showing at the 2025 NCAA Rifle National Championships. During her career, she earned nine first-team All-America honors, including two second-team honors and one third-team honor. She was the 2026 Great America Rifle Conference Senior of the Year and was the 2023 GARC Rookie of the Year.
“We are so excited to have Sofia staying in our program and joining our staff,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “Sofia was an exceptional teammate during her time as an athlete and I know that experience and her love for our program will extend and continue in this new role.”
Last year, Ceccarello had a great season for Kentucky, helping UK place fourth at the NCAA Championships. She averaged a 587 in smallbore and 596.583 in air rifle for a 1183.583 aggregate average. During the year, she had three smallbore scores of 590 or higher and posted three air rifle scores of 598 or higher, including one 599.
The Italian had her best season in Blue and White as a junior, earning first-team All-America in all three categories after setting a NCAA record in air rifle with a 600-59x performance, which was also a career high. Ceccarello helped UK to a second-place NCAA finish that season and made the NCAA Smallbore Individual Final, finishing fifth overall.
As a sophomore, Ceccarello finished fifth in both the GARC Individual Air Rifle Final and NCAA Individual Smallbore Final. Her freshmen season, she won the GARC Air Rifle Individual Championship.
A native of Ravenna, Italy, Ceccarello is accomplished on the international stage, competing in several ISSF events with great success. She started competing in rifle at age 12 and graduated in May 2026 from UK with a degree in Media Arts and Studies.
