West Virginia University Rifle Team Wins 21st NCAA National Championship
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The West Virginia University rifle team secured its 21st NCAA National Championship on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. This victory marks the second consecutive title for the Mountaineers, continuing a dominant run in collegiate rifle competition.1
Mountaineers Overcome Fourth-Place Start
West Virginia entered the final day of competition in fourth place, trailing Ole Miss by three points, and TCU and Nebraska by a single point.1 The team demonstrated resilience, finishing with a remarkable 2395 in the air rifle event, tying the NCAA record.1 This performance propelled them to an overall aggregate score of 4748, setting a new NCAA Championship record.1
Final Standings
The final team standings were as follows:1
- West Virginia – 4748
- TCU – 4741
- Kentucky – 4736
- Nebraska – 4736
- Ole Miss – 4728
- Navy – 4722
- Alaska Fairbanks – 4718
- Georgia Southern – 4717
Lake Named Most Outstanding Performer
WVU’s Lake was named the NCAA National Championships Most Outstanding Performer, becoming the fifth Mountaineer to receive the honor and the first since Mary Tucker in 2024.1 He achieved the highest overall score with a 1194, following a 595 in smallbore and a 599 in air rifle.1
Key Contributors
Camryn Camp fired a 598, and Lauri Syrja managed a 594 in the opening session.1 Jennifer Kocher and Oceanne Muller contributed scores of 599 each, qualifying for the air rifle finals alongside Lake.1 In the final round, Lake secured a bronze medal, Muller finished fourth, and Kocher took seventh place.1
Continued Success for WVU Rifle
With 44 NCAA National Championships appearances, the Mountaineers have consistently ranked among the nation’s elite, achieving 21 titles and 10 runner-up finishes.1 This championship marks the second consecutive victory for West Virginia and continues a strong tradition of success under Head Coach Jon Hammond, who has now secured eight national championships in his 20 seasons with the program.1
The Mountaineers concluded the 2025-26 season with an 18-1 regular season record and a 5-0 record in the Great America Rifle Conference, also claiming their 18th GARC Conference Championship and 17th GARC Regular Season title.1
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