Kentucky used a season-high 2,369 in air rifle to defeat No. 7 Army 4,697-4,655 on Sunday in West Point, N.Y.
“I thought today was a good day,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “We struggled a little bit to open smallbore but prone was solid and most were able to get it together. We were a little off from where we were yesterday but it was still a good showing.”
Kentucky’s 2,328 in smallbore helped UK to a 25-point lead after Army finished the opening event with a 2,303.
Sophomore Connor Davis led the Wildcats in smallbore, delivering a personal-best 589. Senior Emily Holsopple wrapped up the first event with a 585, while Aaron Holsopple shot a 578 in smallbore
Junior Jonathan Pinkel continued his strong showing this weekend as an individual, shooting a 583 in smallbore.
The Wildcats sealed the win in air rifle, shooting a 2,369, including six shooters breaking 590. Army recorded a season-best 2,352 in air rifle.
“We came out of the gate very strong in air rifle,” Mullins said. “Shooting a season best in air rifle was big and it was nice to see us working hard and getting the most out of every shot.”
Emily Holsopple used a season-high 595 to lead UK in air rifle. Freshman Sonya May and sophomore Elijah Ellis each recorded a 592, while freshman Heather Kirby, Aaron Holsopple and Cody Manning each shot a 590.
“We’re getting to where we want to be and I like how we’re working as a group,” Mullins said. “Hopefully with more hard work we will move to the next level and consistently stay there. But I’m proud of how they worked and we’ll use this week to get some more work in and hopefully see some improvement from that.”
No. 5 Nebraska opens season with win
No. 5 Nebraska defeated No. 12 Ole Miss in Oxford by a score of 4,643-4,637.
Freshman Lauren Phillips shot a personal best in air rifle, with a score of 590. Phillips, along with sophomore Denise Martin, helped lead the Huskers to victory. Martin shot a 584 in smallbore, tying her career-best. Nebraska finished with a smallbore score of 2,306 and an air rifle score of 2,337.
Alivia Yeager and Alison Weisz produced solid performances for Ole Miss. Yeager ended with a 577 in smallbore and Weisz finished with a 591 in air rifle, but it wasn’t enough to upset Nebraska. The Rebels’ final smallbore score was 2,289, and the team’s final air rifle score was 2,348.
