Staff report | @KyKernelSports

[email protected]

UK rifle (9-1, 5-0 GARC) hosts its final match of the season this weekend when No. 1 West Virginia (10-0, 5-0 GARC) heads into Lexington to face the Cats at the Buell Armory.

Saturday’s meeting will decide the outcome of the Great American Rifle Conference regular-season title.

The Cats and Mountaineers have history when it comes to final-day championship showdowns.

Last season, UK traveled to West Virginia and pulled out a 4680-4650 win to take home the GARC regular-season crown.

UK head coach Harry Mullins is hoping that history repeats itself Saturday.

“We go back a long way with West Virginia,” Mullins said in a news release. “West Virginia is one of the premiere programs in the country, 14 national championships, always in the hunt for the national championship. I feel that we have elevated our program in the last eight or 10 years to become competitive and on an even playing field with them.”

In a bid to ensure a strong turnout from UK fans, the rifle team is offering free breakfast to those in attendance.

Pancakes and other breakfast foods will be served in between the smallbore and air rifle events, while live stats will be provided in the Barker Hall ROTC lounge for those who wish to attend but not to enter the range in person.

“We’re going to have a pancake breakfast for the fans,” Mullins said. “Hopefully people have the opportunity to come out and watch a little bit, it’s a long event so they can come in and out throughout the course of the day.”

The day gets under way at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with free entry and free parking for all spectators.