Kingsport, TN – A day ahead of taking the field for the AAC semifinals, a pair of Cumberlands men's lacrosse players were recognized for their outstanding achievements this season.  Senior Ty Grooms earned AAC First Team All-Conference honors, while Kuwese Walker was a Second Team All-Conference honoree.

It marks the second straight year that Grooms earned First Team distinction.  The Waterville, OH native has been a pivotal part of the Patriots defense from his defensive midfielder position tallying a career-high 59 ground balls to go along with seven caused turnovers, and five points.  Grooms opened the season scooping a career-high 12 ground balls in the win at Tennessee Wesleyan, which earned him AAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.  The senior went 14-22 on faceoffs with 11 ground balls in the win over Montreat.  Grooms has also been a key part of the Patriots clear, which leads the NAIA at 89.1% clear rate.

Walker earns AAC Second Team All-Conference honors after a stellar freshman campaign.  The Houston, TX native has recorded 29 ground balls, 24 caused turnovers, and five goals from his long stick midfield position.  The freshman tallied a season-high four caused turnovers in a trio of games, including the win over #7 Indiana Tech.  Walker notched multiple caused turnovers in six games this season, and netted a pair of goals in the win over Montreat.  He has also been a key part of the Patriots clear, which leads the NAIA at 89.1% clear rate.

In addition to the All-Conference selections, the Patriots had 10 players named to the AAC All-Academic Team.  Caden Aboott, Jack Bichsel, JD Cook, Nathan Foskey, Aiden Hamilton, Austin Hering, Jacob Ingle, Dom Lulow, Jack Sidwell, and Dennis Smith, garnered this honor for UC this season.  In order to be eligible, each student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a minimum  GPA of 3.25.  Additionally, JD Cook was also the Patriots representative on the AAC Champions of Character Team.
 
The Patriots advance to the AAC semifinals, where they will face top-seed Keiser.  That game is set for Friday, May 1st, at 1 p.m. in Marietta, GA with live video available here.

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