Kentucky rifle star Mary Tucker enters transfer portal

One of the most decorated student-athletes on campus will be leaving the University of Kentucky — and it doesn’t appear to be a happy departure.

Kentucky rifle superstar Mary Tucker has made the surprising decision to enter the transfer portal after three historically productive seasons in Lexington. The junior sharpshooter, who earned a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and led Kentucky to back-to-back national championships, is leaving the program “for reasons (she) will never know.”

The native of Sarasota, Fla. added that she will “speak (her) truth when the time is right.”

“Most of these last three years have brought so much success and fantastic experiences. Everything I have achieved thus far, from NCAA Championships to Olympic medals, have been achieved with the University of Kentucky supporting me.

“That being said, for reasons I will never know, it’s in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.

“To my professors, you are life savers. The academic staff here has been nothing but helpful and I could never have balanced academics with competitions without you. The college of education has taught me so much and made thebest parts of my days classes, thank you.

“To the tutoring and advising staff as well as my chiropractor, you beautiful people. You have brought many laughs and have heard way more than you probably wanted to, you’ve helped heal my body and soul. I am forever grateful for you.

“To the athletics department, my hype crew. Media, compliance, strength and conditioning, athletic training, nutrition, psychology and anyone else that has helped me along the way. You have helped shape me into who lam. The opportunities I’ve had here have gone above and beyond and I will always remember them as incredible.

“To my friends in UK Athletics, on all the fantastic sports, I will always be behind you. I will always watch your games/meets/matches. I will always root for you and be here if you need me. Crush these next years, forever proud of you.

“To the University of Kentucky, thank you for the opportunity to represent the Big Blue Nation. I gave you my all, I wish it could have been enough. I’ll speak my truth when the time is right.

“I will always bleed blue, but everything comes to an end, it’s time for the next adventure.”

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Tucker qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in both women’s air rifle and smallbore, winning a silver medal in the mixed team air rifle event. She was a four-time NCAA Champion and two-time national runner-up during her time at Kentucky.

Tucker recently earned First-Team All-America honors by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association, a clean sweep in the Aggregate, Smallbore and Air Rifle. She was also named CRCA Shooter of the Year, an honor she earned each of the last two seasons. The sharpshooter led Kentucky this season averaging 590.182 in smallbore, 597 in air rifle and an aggregate of 1187.182.

At the NCAA Championships, Tucker earned second place in both the smallbore and air rifle individual championships while she was awarded the most valuable performer trophy overall. She has accomplished her season-high smallbore score of 594 twice as she is one of five athletes in the NCAA to record a 594 or higher in smallbore this season. Tucker shot her second perfect 600 in air rifle this season as she is one of six athletes in the NCAA to accomplish the feat. The native of Sarasota, Florida, is one of four athletes in the NCAA to score a 1194 or higher aggregate this season. Last season, Tucker was the NCAA Smallbore, Air Rifle and Combined Individual National Champion.

Now, Tucker is entering the transfer portal.