Cole Announces 2026 Military Academy Nominations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2025 | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the names of the 2026 Service Academy Nominees from Oklahoma’s Fourth District, who will be considered for a full offer appointment to either the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or the U.S. Naval Academy.
The congressional nomination process for these academies is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated for academic performance and standing, including class rank, SAT/ACT scores, and school records. Other criteria considered by Congressman Cole and the recommendation panel include athletics, physical fitness, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and leadership potential. Upon congressional nomination, students become eligible for consideration to receive an appointment to the service academy (or academies) to which they applied.
“The want to serve our country in uniform is deserving of all our respect,” said Congressman Cole. “I am honored to recommend these distinguished young men and women from the Fourth District for appointment to one of our nation’s esteemed military academies. They are truly so impressive and, regardless of what path they end up taking, I am sure that each one of them have bright futures ahead of them.”
The list below includes the names and high school information of the students, as well as the academies to which they have been nominated. Many of the students received nominations to multiple academies. Note that applications are still being considered by the selection committee for admission at the various academies.
U.S. Air Force Academy
Jax Birth – Ardmore High School
Julianna Chesnut – Rush Springs High School
Braden Evans - MacArthur Senior High School
Brandon Heckethorn – Lone Grove High School
Christopher Hilz – Lawton High School
Jonah House – Lone Grove High School
Tessa Inman – Lindsay High School
Simon Marchesano – Moore High School
Jakob Reece - Epic Charter School
Ezekiel Stoda – Blanchard High School
Nathan Walls – Blanchard High School
Gregory Williams – Norman North High School
Nicklas Wolfgram – Bridge Creek High School
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Julianna Chesnut – Rush Springs High School
Joseph McCormick – McCormick Home School
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Julianna Chesnut – Rush Springs High School
Jesse-Anne Oberle – Seton Home Study School
Ezekiel Stoda – Blanchard High School
Gage Streater – Byng High School
U.S. Naval Academy
Jax Birth – Ardmore High School
Julianna Chesnut – Rush Springs High School
Christopher Hilz – Lawton High School
Stephen Kerl – Midwest City High School
Simon Marchesano – Moore High School
Joseph McCormick – McCormick Home School
Gracie Ragland – Byng High School
Ezekiel Stoda – Blanchard High School
Gage Streater – Byng High School
Nathan Walls – Blanchard High School
Gabriel Ward – Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School
Gregory Williams – Norman North High School
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