The Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) has named four members of West Virginia’s rifle team to the 2025 Scholastic All-American team. Read more: CRCA Awards Four WVU Shooters as Scholastic All-Americans
The four representatives for WVU that have been awarded this honor are Natalie Perrin, Maximus Duncan, Lauri Syrja and Jennifer Kocher.
Talent Surpasses Youth
For some athletes, it takes time to be awarded this type of distinction; however, for three of the Mountaineers, they are playing at a level well beyond their years.
Duncan and Syrja are both sophomores, while Kocher is just a freshman.
Kocher, originally from Switzerland, has already made quite the first impression at West Virginia. In just her first year, she averaged 585.8 in smallbore with her season-high being 588. For the air rifle, she maintained a 595.6 average with a season best of 598.
Related: WVU Facing Potential Elimination versus LSU on Sunday
Duncan, a Colorado transfer, quickly proved that he was a key addition to the Mountaineers. In his first year with the team, he shot in 13 matches. He excelled in the air rifle with an average score of 589.2 and a season best of 597. In the smallbore, he averaged 579.4 but eclipsed that mark with a career-high 585 against Akron.
Syrja, a Finland native, has earned this honor in his second year with WVU. He competed in 14 matches for the Mountaineers and played a pivotal role in helping to win the NCAA championship. Syrja became one of the leaders for WVU, averaging a 596.5 in the air rifle and a 587 in the smallbore.
Alongside his Scholastic All-American honor, the CRCA also named Syrja to the All-America First Team in the smallbore and air rifle.
Perrin’s Last Stand
Perrin, WVU’s only senior honoree, delivered her best season yet to close out her collegiate career. For her final year representing the gold and blue, Perrin averaged a 584.5 in the smallbore and a 596.3 in the air rifle. She also helped the Mountaineers capture their 20th NCAA title, while individually placing third in aggregate.
This marks her fourth CRCA Scholastic All-American honor.
While Perrin has graduated from WVU, Duncan, Syrja and Kocher will all remain on the squad for the upcoming 2026 season. They look to lead the Mountaineers to their 21st NCAA National Championship.
CRCA Awards Four WVU Shooters as Scholastic All-Americans
