Keiser's Johnston, Reinhardt's Sess Earn NAIA Top Honors; AAC Places 13 on NAIA All-America Team

(Story provided by NAIA Sports Communications)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The NAIA announced the 2024 NAIA Men's Lacrosse All-Americans and Coach and Player of the Year.

Coach Patrick Johnston of Keiser (Fla.) is the 2024 NAIA Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year in his eighth season as head coach of the Seahawks. Johnston led his team to back-to-back championship games and titles finishing the season with a 17-2 record. KU got their revenge on the big stage as they looked to flip the script from the previous two meetings in the championship game. The Seahawks and Johnston were able to take down the top seed for their second title in as many years with a late go-ahead goal in the fourth quarter.

This is the second year in a row Johnston received the NAIA Men's Lacrosse Coach of the Year award, and this sixth team someone from the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) garnered the honor.

JR Sess of Reinhardt (Ga.) is the NAIA Men's Lacrosse Player of the Year. Playing in all 16 games for the Eagles this season, Sess was a force at the face-off, winning 76-of-106 total face-offs this season, a clip of 71.7%. He was also a force in the offense for RU, securing 92 points this season on 57 goals, and 35 assists; while recording five man-up goals, and picking up 65 ground balls.

Sess is the fifth AAC player to be named the NAIA Men's Lacrosse Player of the Year.

The All-America Committee makes the All-America selections. The list comprises 13 members for the first, and second teams, and 14 members for the third team. 

In addition to having the Coach and Player of the Year, the AAC placed 13 players on the All-America Team with nine making the first team, two on the second team, and two on the third team.

First-Team

Second Team 

Third Team