The University of Kentucky rifle team displayed their resilience and determination as they secured a thrilling victory over Akron on Saturday. After a slow start in smallbore, the Wildcats bounced back in style, posting their highest air rifle score of the season and securing a 4721-4712 win.
Kentucky initially trailed Akron by one point after the smallbore discipline, with the Zipps posting a score of 2338 compared to the Wildcats’ 2337. However, Kentucky quickly turned the tide in their favor in the air rifle event, registering an impressive score of 2384, while Akron managed 2374. Kentucky’s stellar performance in air rifle not only helped them secure the victory but also earned them the fifth-best air rifle team score nationwide this season.
UK head coach Harry Mullins praised his team’s performance, saying, “Good bounce back in air rifle today as Sofia, Braden, and Emmie all really performed well to give us the boost we needed.” He also emphasized the need to fine-tune their performance in smallbore while expressing satisfaction with their fighting spirit in air rifle.
In the smallbore event, sophomores Sofia Ceccarello and Martin Voss led the way for Kentucky, both scoring 587. Junior Allison Buesseler and fifth-year senior Emmie Sellers followed closely behind, earning scores of 584. Meanwhile, fifth-year senior Jaden Thompson contributed with a score of 579, and freshman Braden Peiser finished the relay with a 569.
Ceccarello continued to shine in the air rifle discipline, scoring an impressive 599 for the fourth time this season. She is currently the only athlete in the nation to achieve a score of 599 or higher in air rifle four or more times this season. Peiser also delivered a standout performance, securing another season high of 597. Sellers achieved a season-best score of 596, while Buesseler scored a commendable 592. Thompson and Voss rounded up the team’s performance, with Thompson scoring 589 and Voss earning 584.
Ceccarello’s outstanding individual performance awarded her the honor of scoring the highest aggregate score of the match, with a total of 1186. Sellers secured third place with a score of 1180, Buesseler claimed fifth with 1176, and Voss finished in eighth place with 1171. Thompson achieved a total aggregate score of 1168, and Peiser closed the competition with 1166.
For Akron, Gavin Perkowski played a significant role, leading his team with scores of 585 in smallbore and an impressive 597 in air rifle, totaling an 1182 aggregate score. Natalia Siek also performed well, scoring 586 in smallbore and 591 in air rifle, accumulating a total of 1177.
Kentucky will be back in action on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in a tri-match against Alaska-Fairbanks and Akron at the Tanana Valley Sportsmen’s Association. Fans can follow the live targets and view the NCAA Scorecard on the UK athletics website.
To stay updated on the latest news about the Kentucky rifle team, fans can visit UKathletics.com or follow UKRifle on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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