The Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) has officially announced its 2025 All-American Teams, recognizing the most outstanding performers in collegiate rifle across the country. These student-athletes have demonstrated elite skill, consistency and dedication throughout the season, earning national honors in Air Rifle, Smallbore and aggregate categories.
West Virginia University rifle team shooter Ashlyn Blake secured the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Rookie of the Year honor after being named the 2025 Great American Rifle Conference Rookie of the Year in February. Blake was also honored with spots on the CRCA All-American Air Rifle Second Team, Smallbore First Team and Aggregate Second Team rosters.
For the second consecutive year, Katie Zaun of Texas Christian University was named the CRCA Rifle Athlete of the Year. Her back-to-back recognition solidifies her status as one of the sport’s top collegiate competitors and a rising star on the national stage.
Besides Blake, another West Virginia University rifle team shooter was honored by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association this year, with the 2025 CRCA Senior of the Year award going to Gavin Barnick.
Each year, the CRCA evaluates student-athletes based on scores from NCAA-sanctioned matches. These averages are used to determine the top performers in each discipline, with selections made for All-American First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention recognition.
Founded in 2014 and supported by Lapua, the CRCA All-American program continues a tradition of excellence in collegiate rifle that dates back to 1936, when the National Rifle Association of America first began recognizing standout student-athletes.
The CRCA’s mission is “to improve collegiate rifle competitions by offering a unified voice on the issues which define the sport and to offer resources to coaches and competitors as they strive for excellence.” The organization remains dedicated to promoting collegiate rifle and supporting the athletes who embody its values of precision, discipline and sportsmanship.
USA Shooting also extended its congratulations to all 2025 honorees, noting the strong presence of both current and former USA Shooting National Team members among this year’s CRCA All-Americans. Their achievements reflect the continued strength and promise of collegiate rifle in the United States.
Collegiate rifle competition plays a vital role in the development of elite shooting athletes in the United States. It serves as a critical pipeline to international competition, offering student-athletes the opportunity to train and compete at a high level while pursuing academic goals. With structured coaching, rigorous match schedules and access to top-tier facilities, college rifle programs help athletes refine their skills, build mental resilience and gain the experience necessary for success on the world stage—including the Olympics and World Championships.
As the 2025 season concludes, the CRCA celebrates another year of remarkable talent and looks ahead to the future of the sport—fueled by the dedication and performance of these exceptional student-athletes.
2025 CRCA ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
AIR RIFLE
First Team
- Sofia Ceccarello – University of Kentucky
- Katie Zaun – Texas Christian University
- Elijah Spencer – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Braden Peiser – University of Kentucky
- Gavin Barnick – West Virginia University
- Lauri Syrja– West Virginia University
- Natalie Perrin – West Virginia University
- Sára Karasová – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Isabella Baldwin – United States Naval Academy
- Camryn Camp – West Virginia University
Second Team
- Lauren Hurley – United States Air Force Academy
- Ashlyn Blake – West Virginia University
- Rachael Charles – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Carlotta Salafia – Murray State University
- Bremen Butler – Georgia Southern University
- Griffin Lake – West Virginia University
- Emme Walrath – Georgia Southern University
- Jacob Wisman – West Virginia University
- Lucie Kissenberger – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Lily Wytko – United States Air Force Academy
Honorable Mention
- Emma Rhode – University of Nebraska
- Amanda Pettersen – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Christina Hillinger – Texas Christian University
- Elizabeth Probst –University of Kentucky
- Sam Adkins – University of Kentucky
SMALLBORE
First Team
- Katie Zaun – Texas Christian University
- Braden Peiser – University of Kentucky
- Emma Rhode – University of Nebraska
- Gavin Barnick – West Virginia University
- Sára Karasová– University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Griffin Lake– West Virginia University
- Sofia Ceccarello – University of Kentucky
- Ashlyn Blake – West Virginia University
- Rachael Charles – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Gracie Dinh – University of Mississippi
- Lauri Syrja – West Virginia University
Second Team
- Emme Walrath – Georgia Southern University
- Isabella Baldwin – United States Naval Academy
- Amanda Pettersen – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Lucie Kissenberger – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- John Blanton – Murray State University
- Mikole Hogan – Texas Christian University
- Marleigh Duncan – United States Naval Academy
- Gabriela Zych – University of Memphis
- Carlotta Salafia – Murray State University
- Lauren Hurley – United States Air Force Academy
Honorable Mention
- Zach Jackson – Murray State University
- Martin Voss – University of Kentucky
- Maddy Moyer – University of Nebraska
- Sam Adkins – University of Kentucky
- Bremen Butler – Georgia Southern University
AGGREGATE
First Team
- Katie Zaun – Texas Christian University
- Braden Peiser – University of Kentucky
- Gavin Barnick – West Virginia University
- Sofia Ceccarello – University of Kentucky
- Emma Rhode – University of Nebraska
Second Team
- Sára Karasová – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Griffin Lake – West Virginia University
- Ashlyn Blake – West Virginia University
- Lauri Syrja – West Virginia University
- Rachael Charles – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Third Team
- Isabella Baldwin – United States Naval Academy
- Emme Walrath – Georgia Southern University
- Lucie Kissenberger – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Amanda Pettersen – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
- Elijah Spencer – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Honorable Mention
- Carlotta Salafia – Murray State University
- Lauren Hurley – United States Air Force Academy
- Gracie Dinh – University of Mississippi
- John Blanton – Murray State University
- Mikole Hogan – Texas Christian University
Rookie of the Year
Ashlyn Blake – West Virginia University
Senior of the Year
Gavin Barnick – West Virginia University
Rifle Athlete of the Year
Katie Zaun – Texas Christian University
Most Valuable Shooter
Rachael Charles – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Head Coach of the Year
Andrea Palafox – University of Texas El Paso
Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year
Cathryn Papasodora – University of Kentucky
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