Cole Cunningham Earns USILA All-America Honorable Mention
5/21/2026 3:01:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) announced the 2026 Division I All-Americans, along with the annual award winners. Air Force C1C Cole Cunningham represented the Falcons on the list, earning Honorable Mention All-America for the second time this season.
Cunningham, announced as USA Lacrosse All-American HM two weeks ago, was instrumental in leading Air Force to its third-straight share of the ASUN Conference Regular Season title. A 2026 All-ASUN First-Team selection, Cole led the Falcons with 75 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers, ranking fifth in the ASUN in both categories. He picked up a career-best nine ground balls with three CTOs in the upset win against No. 18 Utah, helping Air Force to the regular season title. His 205 career ground balls ties for fifth most in program history while his 54 career caused turnovers ties for seventh. At the conclusion of his playing career at the Academy, Cunningham has earned All-America, ASUN Conference Specialist of the Year, two First-Team ASUN All-Conference honors, two Academic All-Conference honors, CSC Academic All-America honors and two conference Player of the Week honors.
The honor marks Air Force's 18th overall All-American and third in the last three seasons. Cunningham, repeating Josh Yago's achievement last season, has Honorable Mentions from both USA Lacrosse and USILA.
Annual Award Winners:
Lt. Raymond J. Enners Outstanding Player of the Year: Aidan Maguire, Duke, SSDM, Senior
Lt. Col. JI Turnbull Outstanding Attackman: Joey Spallina, Syracuse, ATT, Senior
Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Co-Outstanding Midfielder: Brady Wambach, North Carolina, FO, Junior
Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Co-Outstanding Midfielder: Evan Plunkett, Army, MID, Senior
William C. Schmeisser Defensive Player of the Year: Shawn Lyght, Notre Dame, DEF, Junior
Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Co-Outstanding Goalie: Sean Byrne, Army, GOAL, Senior
Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Co-Outstanding Goalie: Ryan Croddick, Princeton, GOAL, Senior
Players selected for All-American were nominated by their coach and then received votes from the All-American Committee.
Click here for the full list of Division I All-Americans.
Cunningham, announced as USA Lacrosse All-American HM two weeks ago, was instrumental in leading Air Force to its third-straight share of the ASUN Conference Regular Season title. A 2026 All-ASUN First-Team selection, Cole led the Falcons with 75 ground balls and 25 caused turnovers, ranking fifth in the ASUN in both categories. He picked up a career-best nine ground balls with three CTOs in the upset win against No. 18 Utah, helping Air Force to the regular season title. His 205 career ground balls ties for fifth most in program history while his 54 career caused turnovers ties for seventh. At the conclusion of his playing career at the Academy, Cunningham has earned All-America, ASUN Conference Specialist of the Year, two First-Team ASUN All-Conference honors, two Academic All-Conference honors, CSC Academic All-America honors and two conference Player of the Week honors.
The honor marks Air Force's 18th overall All-American and third in the last three seasons. Cunningham, repeating Josh Yago's achievement last season, has Honorable Mentions from both USA Lacrosse and USILA.
Annual Award Winners:
Lt. Raymond J. Enners Outstanding Player of the Year: Aidan Maguire, Duke, SSDM, Senior
Lt. Col. JI Turnbull Outstanding Attackman: Joey Spallina, Syracuse, ATT, Senior
Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Co-Outstanding Midfielder: Brady Wambach, North Carolina, FO, Junior
Lt. j.g. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Co-Outstanding Midfielder: Evan Plunkett, Army, MID, Senior
William C. Schmeisser Defensive Player of the Year: Shawn Lyght, Notre Dame, DEF, Junior
Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Co-Outstanding Goalie: Sean Byrne, Army, GOAL, Senior
Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Co-Outstanding Goalie: Ryan Croddick, Princeton, GOAL, Senior
Players selected for All-American were nominated by their coach and then received votes from the All-American Committee.
Click here for the full list of Division I All-Americans.
Players Mentioned
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