UK rifle wins NCAA Championship for second time in program history

Henrik+Larsen+became+the+first+UK+rifle+competitor+to+win+an+individual+NCAA+championship+since+2014.+Graphic+by+Erin+Harville+of+UKAthletics+Creative+Services.

Henrik Larsen became the first UK rifle competitor to win an individual NCAA championship since 2014. Graphic by Erin Harville of UKAthletics Creative Services.

Kernel Sports Staff

On Saturday, the Kentucky rifle team concluded its 2017-2018 season by winning the program’s second national title at the NCAA Championships.

The last time Kentucky rifle was national champions was in 2011. The Cats posted their best score of the season to take down the five-time defending champions West Virginia by nine points. 

Kentucky shot a 2,345 in the smallbore competition and a 2,372 in the air rifle to take the title away from West Virginia.

The team title won’t be the only trophy coming back to Lexington, as freshman sensation Henrik Larsen won the NCAA title in the individual air rifle.

Larsen scored 249.4 in the individual final, including shooting the center spot 52 times. Larsen’s title gives UK rifle its first individual championship since Connor Davis won an individual championship in 2014.