By Clark Brooks

The No. 3 UK rifle team is familiar with pressure. When the difference between winning and losing a match can be based on a shot no less than a millimeter out of place, dealing with pressure is important, and just part of rifling.

The Cats have thrived under important situations, finishing in the top 10 nationally the last eight seasons.

“We deal with pressure in every way imaginable,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said. “Not only do we have to deal with overcoming pressure on the range, since the team is constantly in the top five in the nation, we have learned ways to manage it outside of matches too.”

To help, Mullins decided to change up the team’s training methods this off-season. Though the team still has range practice and weights, Mullins has tried to work on his team’s confidence as a whole by setting mental goals.

“He tells us to treat training like a competition,” junior Jennifer Pason said. “That way when we are in a competition, it feels like training so the pressure is lessened.”

The rifle team has different reasons why they should feel the heat. Besides being ranked No. 3 by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association, the Cats were chosen to finish first in the Great American Rifle Conference. However, most players don’t even seem to feel the effects of being put on a pedestal.

“I don’t think the team feels any added pressure,” junior Tom Csenge said. “We were ranked this high last year, so we know what we need to do.”

The Cats only lost one member of the team and has brought in two outstanding freshmen to help add to the team’s depth.

“We always try to recruit the best athletes,” Mullins said. “They all have a lot of raw talent and are mature for their ages.”

The Cats will return some of the best overall shooters in the conference. Csenge, Pason and lone senior Andrew Roland are No. 2, 3, and 10 in the GARC respectively.

The Cats will be forced to prove they deserve their ranking. UK will play 11 teams in the top 25. Mullins believes having a competitive schedule lets you know where the team stands and to measure success before tournament play. Also, it will help the team reach its goals.

“Besides succeeding this season, I would like to accomplish other achievements as well,” Mullins said. “We should have academic all-Americans, great team will power and a sense of team togetherness.”

The top goal for UK remains the same however— win the GARC title and the national championship. The Cats will look to build on recent success, finishing fifth nationally in 2007 and fourth in 2006 to give them a boost toward succeeding their goal.

“A lot of good came out of last season,” Csenge said. “We gained experience and have started to continue working harder. Winning it all this year is all part of the plan.”