CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel welcomed the addition of 55 cadet-athletes as official members of the Class of 2026 late Saturday morning, each graduating as representatives of one of the 16 NCAA Division I programs sponsored by the college.
"Congratulations to the entire Class of 2026 on graduating from The Citadel," said
Art Chase, Director of Athletics. "Our student-athletes are to be commended for representing themselves, their families, their teammates and the Citadel community with distinction, bringing pride to all who support them. They have exemplified the values that define this institution.
"The Citadel's mission -- to develop principled leaders -- is clearly reflected in this exceptional group of young men and women. Through their commitment to varsity athletics, they have cultivated confidence, competitiveness, discipline and selflessness and these qualities have them prepared to meet future challenges and succeed in their endeavors."
Overall, seven cadet-athletes secured Summa Cum Laude honors --
Ted Bagwell (MTEN),
Tucker Hendrix (MTEN),
Johanna Andersson (WSOC),
Phillips Daniels (BSB),
Aryan Patel (BSB),
Steven Trone (BSB) &
Wilson Long (FB) -- while seven collected Magna Cum Laude recognition --
Joseph Combs (MTEN),
Sam Barnes (VB),
Alexis Haire (WSOC),
Jack Weil (FB / T&F),
Sara Grace Melton (T&F / XC),
Matthew Lively (BSB) &
Josh Cole (FB) -- with 10 notching Cum Laude distinction --
Carson DesRosier (WREST),
Naomi Huang (WGOLF),
Kenzie McCallum (WGOLF),
Noah Van Dyke (MTEN),
Lydia Larson (VB),
Briggs Powell (T&F),
Sadie Grove (T&F),
Garrett Fulmer (BSB),
Michael Gibson (BSB) &
Kaiden Swortzel (FB).
Sport-to-sport, football led the way with a total 18 graduates with track & field trailing not far behind with 13 and baseball registering another 10 as well. Soccer totaled five graduates, tennis and wrestling tallied four apiece, volleyball finished with three and both golf and cross country closed out with two. Basketball and rifle rounded out the honor roll with one graduate each.
"I am exceedingly proud of this graduating class for their dedication and commitment to academics over the past four years," said
Jake Lehr, the Assistant Director for Athletic Programs in the Angela W. Williams Student Success Center. "It is not an easy task to balance Division I athletics, corps responsibilities and a rigorous academic schedule each semester, and many of these graduates faced serious challenges along the way. They not only met the standard set by The Citadel, but excelled as individuals both in the classroom and in their athletic pursuits. Congratulations to the class of 2026."
For a complete list of graduates for The Citadel Class of 2026, please utilize the below recognition:
The Citadel Class of 2026
* -- Summa Cum Laude
** -- Magna Cum Laude
*** -- Cum Laude
-- #HonorDutyRespect--
