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Penn State Lacrosse Players Sweep All-American Honors
It's been a week of accolades for four Penn State men's lacrosse players! First, they earned All-American status from USA Lacrosse. Now, the same quartet has been recognized by Inside Lacrosse, cementing their impressive achievements. Matt Traynor, Alex Ross, Hunter Aquino, and Kevin Parnham are the Nittany Lions making waves in the lacrosse world.
A Look at the Honorees
Hunter Aquino, a standout midfielder and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, earned a well-deserved spot on the Inside Lacrosse second-team All-American list. His rookie season was nothing short of spectacular, with 15 goals and 18 assists, totaling 33 points.
- That impressive performance earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
Matt Traynor, Alex Ross, and Kevin Parnham received Inside Lacrosse All-American honorable mentions. Traynor, the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, led the conference in both points and goals per game, showcasing his offensive prowess with 33 goals and 16 assists this season. His talents didn't go unnoticed by the professional leagues; he was recently drafted No. 6 overall by the New York Atlas in the PLL College Draft.
- Ross solidified Penn State's defense with 24 ground balls, 21 caused turnovers, and one goal, earning him a second-team All-Big Ten selection.
- Parnham also contributed significantly to the Nittany Lions' defense, leading the team with 25 caused turnovers (14th nationally) and securing a spot in the PLL College Draft (fourth round pick for the Denver Outlaws).
The No. 5-ranked Nittany Lions are heading to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, facing off against Notre Dame on May 18th at noon in Annapolis, Maryland. The game will air on ESPNU.
Morgan Price: A Gymnastics Trailblazer Heads to Arkansas
While the lacrosse team celebrates, another Penn State athlete is making headlines. Morgan Price, a gymnast from Fisk University, recently signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
- Price, the first HBCU gymnast to score a perfect 10, achieved this feat on the uneven bars at Temple University in February.
- She's a three-time First Team All-American and boasts six WCGNIC titles, including back-to-back all-around titles in 2024 and 2025.
- She's also won numerous awards, including Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Amateur Female Athlete of the Year and HBCU Sports Female Athlete of the Year.
- In 2024, she became the first HBCU gymnast to win the USA Collegiate National Title.
Price's remarkable achievements at Fisk, including her recent victory at the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships (WCGNIC), solidified her place in gymnastics history and paved her way to a bright future with the Razorbacks, where she'll join her sister, Frankie.
More All-American Success Stories
The All-American theme extends beyond Penn State. Stephen Nast, a Liberty University School of Law graduate, received the All-American Advocate Award for appellate advocacy. His dedication to his studies and community service made him a standout candidate.
And finally, Austin High School senior Sam Winkels achieved All-American status in strength and conditioning, showcasing the dedication required to achieve top athletic performance. His transformation and dedication to strength training made him the first AHS student to win the award.
Conclusion
From lacrosse fields to gymnastics competitions and even the weight room, these athletes exemplify dedication, skill, and the pursuit of excellence. Their All-American achievements are a testament to their hard work and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes everywhere.
