The No. 2 University of Kentucky rifle team suffered a setback on Saturday in a dual match against Alaska in Fairbanks, Alaska. The match ended with a score of 4752-4726 in favor of Alaska.
Kentucky scored a 2352 in smallbore and 2374 in air rifle, while Alaska earned a 2366 in smallbore and 2386 in air rifle. UK head coach Harry Mullins expressed disappointment in the team’s performance, saying “Not the execution we were looking for today. We will put that one behind us and get back at it tomorrow vs. Georgia Southern. There were some good things, like Sofia being the top aggregate in the dual match.”
Freshman Sofia Ceccarello was a bright spot for Kentucky, finishing as the top individual aggregate performer in the dual match. Ceccarello scored a 594 in smallbore and a 599 in air rifle, setting a career high in smallbore. Martin Voss, another freshman, posted a career-high 589 in smallbore and was just one off his career-best with a 593 in air rifle. Joining Ceccarello in the countable lineup for Kentucky were Will Shaner, Richard Clark, Mitchell Nelson, and Allison Bueseller.
Alaska was led by Peter Fiori, who scored a 596 in both disciplines for an aggregate of 1192.
Kentucky will return to action on Sunday as they compete in a dual match against Georgia Southern. The match is scheduled to begin around 1 p.m. ET.
