SPARKS, Md. – Penn State sophomore Hunter Aquino and senior Alex Ross have been named 2026 USA Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-Americans. Aquino and Ross were each named to the third team following successful 2025 seasons. Aquino returns to the Nittany Lions after an honorable mention recognition last year, while Ross was recognized on the same team in 2025.
Aquino posted a remarkable six Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors in 2025, setting a new Penn State record for most collected in a single season. The recognitions culminated in the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Aquino scored 16 goals and dished 21 assists to total 37 points on the season. He ranked second in the conference in assists per game (1.31) and 11th in points per game (2.31), consistently the only freshman in the Big Ten in the top 12 in those respective categories throughout 2025.
Ross was a crucial part of the Penn State defense throughout the 2025 campaign. His efforts also earned him a second team All-Big Ten nod. In the national semifinal, the Davidsonville, Maryland, native held the 2025 Tewaaraton winner, Cornell’s CJ Kirst, to zero points for the only time in his five season career. He finished 2025 with 31 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers. A threat in transition, he also tallied a goal in Penn State’s 13-12 overtime win over Cornell in the regular season.
Aquino, Ross, and the rest of the Nittany Lions are set to kick of the 2026 campaign next week when the team hosts Colgate on Sunday, February 1 at 12 p.m. For fans at home, the action will be streamed live via B1G+.