The University of Kentucky Rifle Team is set to return to action this Saturday as they host West Virginia in the final Great America Rifle Conference match of the season. The match will take place inside the UK Rifle Range, with sights and prep for smallbore starting at 8 a.m. ET. Spectators are welcome to attend and watch the smallbore scores in Barker Hall, while enjoying a complimentary breakfast during the first part of the relay. The range will be open to spectators for air rifle, with free admission.
According to UK head coach Harry Mullins, the team is eager to compete at home in front of the Big Blue Nation. West Virginia is a formidable opponent that has had an impressive season, but the Wildcats have been working hard over the past two weeks to fine-tune their training. Coach Mullins is looking forward to what should be a great collegiate rifle match.
Kentucky has won each of its last four matches, including dual-match victories over Georgia Southern, Army and North Georgia. On the season, the Wildcats have an average aggregate score of 4719.92, with a 2341.83 average in smallbore and a 2378.08 average in air rifle. This match will be the last one of the season before the NCAA Qualifier match on February 18th against Morehead State, followed by the GARC Championships.
Leading the Wildcats individually this season is freshman Sofia Ceccarello, with an average of 589.5 in smallbore and 598.1 in air rifle. Super seniors Richard Clark, Will Shaner, and Mitchell Nelson are close behind, with impressive averages in both smallbore and air rifle. Sophomore Allison Buesseler and freshman Martin Voss are also contributing to the team’s success, with strong averages in both events. Seniors Emmie Sellers, Jaden Thompson, and Mason Hamilton are having good seasons, as are sophomores Kayla Kalenza and Tori Kopelen. Freshman AJ Hotko is coming off his best meet of the season, with an average of 564.778 in smallbore and 583.111 in air rifle.
West Virginia, on the other hand, has an average team aggregate of 4732.08 this season, with a 2350.25 average in smallbore and a 2381.83 average in air rifle. In their last match, the Mountaineers posted a score of 4742 in a home dual match against Navy.
In conclusion, the University of Kentucky Rifle Team is set to host West Virginia in the final Great America Rifle Conference match of the season this Saturday. With the Wildcats having won each of their last four matches, and West Virginia being a formidable opponent, this promises to be a thrilling and competitive match. Spectators are welcome to attend and enjoy the action, with free admission and breakfast during the first part of the relay.
