West Virginia University rifle coach Jon Hammond described a sense of relief after the Mountaineers secured their 21st NCAA national championship, according to a March 18 statement. Hammond, who now has eight NCAA titles as head coach, said that “relief” was the word that came to mind following the team’s latest victory.
The achievement highlights West Virginia’s long-standing dominance in collegiate rifle, a sport often overlooked compared to other NCAA dynasties. Despite not being widely recognized alongside programs like UCLA men’s basketball or Connecticut women’s basketball, West Virginia’s rifle team has consistently performed at a high level for more than four decades.
Hammond acknowledged the challenges faced by the program in recent years, particularly between 2017 and 2025. “I don’t want to say trial and error, but there was a lot of questioning and figuring things out,” he said. He noted changes in NCAA sports and increased competition from other schools as factors that made maintaining success more difficult. The introduction of the transfer portal also changed recruiting dynamics: “I felt like what a top recruit was looking for was maybe different… In the last 10 years, there are lot more teams with great shooters.”
Associate head coach Jean-Pierre Lucas played an important role in revitalizing the program by bringing new ideas and energy. “This is his fourth year, and he brought a different energy, work ethic and a toughness that he has,” Hammond explained. The addition of Kentucky transfer Mary Tucker also contributed significantly; her individual title in 2024 helped reestablish WVU as an attractive destination for elite shooters.
Reflecting on this year’s championship run, Hammond said it required near-perfect performances from his athletes to rally from fourth place to first during the final round. He expressed satisfaction not only with winning but also with sharing the experience with his family: “It’s a different level… being able to share this with (his children), and it’s the first year that maybe my oldest followed and understood, and the first one that they’ve all come to and been a part of.”
Former coach Ed Etzel remains connected to the program he helped build decades ago. Hammond shared that Etzel sent him congratulations after this year’s win: “He sent a message of congrats and a link to an article… Ed likes to check in, and he usually comes to a couple of matches throughout the year.” As West Virginia celebrates another national title, both current coaches and past leaders recognize the effort required to sustain such success.
