LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Just hours before the start of the 2026 season opener, six members of the Christopher Newport men's lacrosse team hauled in Preseason All-American honors from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association as Mason Bellinger, Mark Davison, Colin DeGrassi, Kevin Miller, Jackson Platner, and Jamie Smith were recognized by the organization on Friday morning.

Bellinger and Miller were both first-team selections, while Davison and Smith landed on the second-team squad. Rounding out the honorees, DeGrassi and Platner were third-team members.

The preseason recognition was the second of the year for Bellinger, Davison, DeGrassi, Miller, and Smith. Previously, they were all named Preseason All-Americans by USA Lacrosse Magazine on Tuesday.

Overall, the six honorees equaled the most USILA Preseason All-Americans in program history. Previously, the 2023 and 2024 squads also had six players recognized by the organization.

A breakout performer during his first year as a starter at CNU, Bellinger made waves in the cage while establishing himself as one of the top goalies in the nation last season. Named the USA Lacrosse Magazine National Preseason Goalie of the Year earlier this week, he finished his junior campaign with 241 saves, which ranked 16th in the NCAA and marked the third-highest total in school history. He also led the Coastal Lacrosse Conference with a .555 save percentage while adding a 10.19 goals-against-average. Incredibly well-rounded, he chipped in with 65 ground balls and five points, which was the most by a goalie in program lore.

A suffocating presence on the defensive side of the ball, Davison was celebrated as an All-American in 2025 after anchoring CNU's back line. During his sophomore season, he forced 32 turnovers, which marked the 12th-most by a Captain in school history. Stellar throughout the year, he had a takeaway in 14 of his appearances and secured two or more on seven occasions. Among his finest moments, he had seven strips against John Carroll on March 5, which matched the fourth-highest total in program lore. Just as effective against nationally-ranked competition, he came back with six caused turnovers against No. 1 Tufts on March 20.

A mainstay on the defensive unit, DeGrassi earned universal acclaim for his performance last spring. Picking up All-Conference, All-State, and All-American accolades, he started all 22 games while producing 30 caused turnovers. That total placed him 18th on the school's all-time charts. Making a consistent impact, he forced at least one miscue in 19 of his appearances and had multiple strips on eight occasions. Kicking off a remarkable postseason run, he had four takeaways in the league semifinals against Kean on April 30. Later, he had a strip in all three bouts during the NCAA Tournament, including two in the opener against Grove City on May 10.

The nation's leading scorer in 2025, Miller rewrote the record books throughout a dominant sophomore season. During his second year with the Captains, he led the NCAA and established new single-season program records with 81 assists and 115 total points. His 81 helpers also marked the 11th-most by any player in collegiate lacrosse history. Along the way, the consensus All-American dished out at least one assist in all 22 games while also ranking ninth in the league with 34 goals. His eight assists and 13 points in the season opener against Hampden-Sydney on February 8 also set new single-game school standards.

Bursting onto the scene with one of the finest debut campaigns in program history, Platner quickly established himself as one of the nation's elite midfielders during the 2025 season. Just the second freshman to earn All-American nods in program history, he was also celebrated as the Virginia State Rookie of the Year. A dynamic playmaker on the midfield unit, he ranked eighth in the conference with 24 goals while slotting 10th with 23 assists. Stepping up under the bright lights, he had four assists in the NCAA Sweet 16 against No. 16 Lynchburg on May 11 before sinking a hat-trick in the national quarterfinals against No. 8 Bowdoin on May 17.

Orchestrating one of the finest offensive campaigns in Christopher Newport athletics history, Smith scored at a prolific rate throughout his junior season. He eventually finished the year with 84 goals, which set a new school record and ranked 20th in the history of collegiate lacrosse. Especially dominant on the power play, he also led the NCAA with 13 man-up goals while sporting a league-best .384 shooting percentage. Carving up the competition, he registered multiple goals in 21 of his 22 appearances while notching 19 hat-tricks. His eight goals against Hampden-Sydney on February 8 also equaled the third-highest total in school history.

Christopher Newport will open its season on Friday with a noon battle against Elizabethtown at Jennings Family Stadium.

---ISH---