VMI rifle’s Alexander Pohlman ’28 became the first shooter in program history to earn an invite to the NCAA Championships.—Photo courtesy VMI Athletics.
After shooting a program-record 587 in smallbore at the NCAA Qualifier in Morgantown, West Virginia, Feb. 21, 2026, VMI rifle’s Alexander Pohlman ’28 became the first shooter in program history to earn an invite to the NCAA Championships, as he was named an alternate for the event.
Pohlman is one of just two shooters nationally to earn the alternate distinction in the smallbore event. Four individuals overall were selected as alternates—two in smallbore, two in air rifle.
Pohlman, Lt. Col. Bill Bither, and the program learned the news Feb. 23 during the NCAA Selection Show. Bither is in his 12th year as head coach of the program.
“This is a first for VMI rifle since I’ve been coaching,” said Bither. “To reach this level of competitive shooting as a college sophomore is an incredible accomplishment. Alexander not only broke the team smallbore record but also placed third against top-ranked West Virginia and qualified for the NCAA National Championship as an alternate.”
The NCAA Championships will be held March 13–14 in Columbus, Ohio. To read the full NCAA release, click here.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on vmikeydets.com.
