Pair of Kentucky rifle stars lock up Team USA spots for Tokyo Olympics
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Pair of Kentucky rifle stars lock up Team USA spots for Tokyo Olympics
Mary Tucker and Will Shaner, both young stars on the University of Kentucky’s rifle team, have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
Tucker, a UK freshman from Sarasota, Fla., was the top scorer in the women’s competition at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for air rifle in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday. Shaner, a UK sophomore from Colorado Springs, earned one of two spots in the men’s competition.
“You have to be excited and overjoyed for them that their journey as shooters is moving forward to the world stage,” UK head coach Harry Mullins said, according to a news release by UK. “This is a very special time for them in their shooting careers and I know that everyone is so proud of Mary and Will and what they have accomplished.
“To have two Kentucky shooters qualify out of this weekend is very special. … This is a great day for everyone involved.”
Tucker had already locked up her spot before Sunday’s finals.
“I still wanted to do really well in the finals even though I already knew (what the outcome was),” Tucker said, according to a report by USA Shooting. “I wanted to go and represent the best I can, and this is not the end, it’s just the beginning.”
Four Olympics spots, two each for the men and women, were on the line at the air rifle trials. Tucker finished ahead of Ginny Thrasher, who won gold in the event at the 2016 Olympics. Alison Weisz of Belgrade, Mont., was the other women’s qualifier. It will be the first Olympics appearance for Tucker and Weisz.
Lucas Kozeniesky, who is from Fairfax, Va., was the top scorer in the men’s competition after tying a world record with his Day 2 score of 633.5. It will be his second Olympics appearance.
“(U.S.) men’s air rifle has never had a medalist. We’ve had a finalist but never a medal, so I’m looking to conquer that this year,” Kozeniesky said, according to a report by USA Shooting.
The Olympics are scheduled for July 24 through Aug. 9. Air rifle will be contested July 25 for the women and July 26 for the men.
Kentucky, ranked No. 1 in the nation, has a tough test ahead next. The Cats will face No. 3 West Virginia in Morgantown on Saturday.
This story was originally published February 9, 2020 at 6:01 PM.
