The West Virginia University rifle team has long been a powerhouse in collegiate shooting, and the 2024-25 season only added more fuel to that storied legacy. With a roster blending seasoned veterans and rising stars, the Mountaineers turned in yet another dominant campaign – capped off by standout individual performances and a national title. READ MORE: Locked, Loaded, Legendary: WVU Rifle’s Historic Season
This past weekend, two of WVU’s brightest young talents, Camryn Camp and Griffin Lake, shined on the national stage at the 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympics in Colorado Springs. Camp and Lake each captured first-place honors in their respective events, showcasing the talent pipeline that continues to flow through Morgantown. For Lake, the performance was his second major win in less than a week; earlier, he claimed the prestigious Junior Olympic air rifle national championship.
“These kids are unbelievable,” said head coach Jon Hammond. “Griffin and Camryn have come in and made an immediate impact. They’re fearless, focused, and represent the next great wave of WVU rifle.”
Return to Glory
Their wins come on the heels of a historic season for the entire team. West Virginia won the 2025 NCAA Air Rifle Team Championship, storming back from third place on the final day to overtake Ole Miss and Kentucky with a commanding team score of 2388-210X. Senior Natalie Perrin posted a stellar 598-53X to lead the charge, while freshman Ashlyn Blake added a 597-52X – both earning spots in the individual finals, where Blake took third place overall.
“We’ve had so many consistent performances this season,” Hammond said. “Whether it’s a senior like Natalie or a freshman like Ashlyn, they’ve all stepped up when it matters most.”
That consistency was evident all year long. The Mountaineers completed the season with an undefeated record, extending their dual match win streak to 26 and claiming their 16th Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) regular-season title with a flawless 5–0 record in league play.
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Legacy
But while this season was special, dominance in rifle is nothing new for West Virginia. The program is the most decorated in NCAA history, boasting a record 20 national championships, nearly double that of any other school. Under Coach Hammond, who has led the team since 2006, WVU has become synonymous with excellence in collegiate shooting. Hammond’s tenure has included six NCAA titles and a long list of All-Americans, Olympians, and world champions.
“Our history is something we take pride in every day,” Hammond said. “We’re not just competing for wins now—we’re carrying on a legacy built by generations of athletes who came before.”
That legacy was on full display this year, as WVU combined historic firepower with a new generation of elite shooters. With Camp, Lake, and Blake leading the next wave – and veteran leaders like Perrin showing the way – the Mountaineers are poised to keep the dynasty rolling for years to come.
As the team basks in another national title and individual accolades pile up, one thing remains clear: in the world of collegiate rifle, WVU is still the gold standard.
