Story originally published on vmkikeydets.com

INIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 25, 2026—After shooting a program-record 587 in smallbore at Saturday's NCAA Qualifier in Morgantown, VMI Rifle's Alexander Pohlman 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. There are a total of four individuals overall who were selected as alternates – two in smallbore, two in Air Rifle.

Pohlman, Lt. Col. Bill Bither and the program found out Monday night, during the NCAA Selection Show. Bither is in his 12th year at the helm 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. The full NCAA release is available online.

- VMI Athletics -