With the 2 top shooters in the nation coming back and one being an Olympic Gold Medalist, WVU added another great young shooter.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University rifle coach Jon Hammond announced today that David Koenders will join the reigning National Champion rifle team in 2017-18.

A native of Mossautal, Germany, Koenders is the reigning European Junior Champion in 10m air rifle mixed team and a six-time German champion.

“We are really excited to add David to the team next year,” Mountaineer coach Jon Hammond said. “Whenever we add an international team member, they bring diversity with their experience and culture. David is no different in this respect. He has international shooting experience with the German Junior National Team, and that experience should help us add depth to our squad. He will be ready to compete with the best shooters in NCAA rifle, and I look forward to working with David and integrating him with our Mountaineer team.”

A member of the German Junior National Team, Koenders recently earned three top-six finishes, including a win in the men’s junior 50m rifle prone, a runner-up finish in the men’s junior 10m air rifle and a sixth-place finish in the men’s junior 50m rifle 3 positions at the 2017 ISAS International Competition, Dortmund.

In 2016, Koenders represented the German Junior National Team at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Suhl, finishing 12th in men’s 50m rifle 3 positions and 23rd in the men’s 10m air rifle. At the German Junior Championships, he also earned three titles and two runner-up finishes. Koenders finished the year ranked No. 1 in the German Junior Division in men’s 50m rifle 3 positions and 10m air rifle, as well as No. 2 in 50m rifle prone.

The son of Roger and Martina Koenders, he currently attends J.W. Goeth-Universität Frankfurt and will have four years of eligibility remaining at WVU.