West Virginia secured its 21st NCAA rifle championship, with Griffin Lake playing a pivotal role. The Mountaineers entered the final day of competition in fourth place but tied an NCAA record for air rifle score with 2,395 points. They finished with an aggregate score of 4,748, seven points ahead of second-place TCU.
Key Takeaways
West Virginia won its 21st NCAA rifle championship title, thanks to Griffin Lake's outstanding performance. The team tied an NCAA record for air rifle score and secured a seven-point lead over TCU. Ole Miss achieved its best finish in program history.
- West Virginia wins 2026 NCAA Rifle Championship with a score of 4,748
- Team ties NCAA air rifle record with a score of 2,395
- Griffin Lake named Most Outstanding Performer and finishes second in both smallbore and air rifle
- Ole Miss achieves best finish in program history, securing first smallbore team title
The team's victory marks their second consecutive national title. Mississippi secured third place with a score of 4,738, while Kentucky and Nebraska tied for fourth with 4,736 each. In the air rifle competition, TCU finished second with 2,387 points, and Kentucky was third with 2,383 points. First-year head coach Will Shaner led Ole Miss to its first smallbore team title with a score of 2,356.
Griffin Lake won the individual title and was named the championship's Most Outstanding Performer. He finished second in both smallbore and air rifle competitions. Audrey Gogniat of Ole Miss scored a perfect 600 points to win the individual air rifle for the second consecutive year, while Kentucky's Braden Peiser won the smallbore crown with a score of 596.
The NCAA Rifle Championships featured intense competition among top teams. West Virginia's victory highlights their consistent dominance in the sport. The event showcased remarkable performances by individual athletes and marked significant milestones for several programs, including Ole Miss's historic finish.
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