No.1 Kentucky rifle (9-0,4-0) defeated No. 5 Murray State (4-3, 2-0) in the Withrow Open by a score of 4,731-4,725.
Kentucky recorded scores of 2,350 in smallbore and 2,381 in air rifle. Conversely, Murray State, the annual host of the seven-team event, totaled 2,345 in smallbore and 2,380 in air rifle to make up its 4,725-aggregate score. Along with the Wildcats and Racers No. T10 Nebraska (4,706), No. 14 Jacksonville State (4,686), No. 19 North Georgia (4,618), UAB (4,559) and No. T10 Memphis were also competing.
Nebraska’s Emma Rhode finished the day as the top individual, orchestrating a 595 in smallbore and 598 in air rifle to attain a 1,193-aggregate score. For the Wildcats, it was sophomore Braden Peiser who took charge. Peiser engraved a 592 in smallbore and a 597 in air rifle to finish with a 1,189 aggregate along with a match high 97 centers.
The smallbore standing saw three Wildcats join Peiser in the top eight. Junior Sofia Ceccarello and senior Allison Buesseler both etched a 588. Ceccarello recorded 35 centers while Buesseler added 31 centers to her score. Junior Martin Voss followed close behind with 587 and 33 centers.
In air rifle, Peiser continued to excel, leading the Wildcats with a score of 597 and 57 centers. Liz Probst matched his score of 597, hitting 49 centers. Ceccarello followed closely with a score of 595, as freshman Brandon Evans contributed a score of 594 with 42 centers. Voss scored 592 in air rifle, also with 42 centers.
The Wildcats return to action on Monday, Jan. 20, against No. T10 Memphis, with smallbore preparations starting at 10 a.m. ET.