As the undisputed leading scorer on the boys’ lacrosse team at Air Academy, Jake Thornally had gotten used to being singled out. He could duck, weave and spin out of just about any double-team his opposition threw at him during the recently completed season.

He wasn’t quite as prepared to be singled out once the final whistle sounded to end his high school career.

Chosen as his school’s Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he scored 63 goals and added 49 assists – second and fifth in the state, respectively – Thornally said he felt a bit uncomfortable being front and center.

“I was a little surprised,” Thornally said. “There were so many great athletes nominated. On the girls’ side, (cross country and track athlete) Katie Rainsberger was the top female. She’s unreal. Being in the same category as her is pretty surreal.”

But to those who know Jake the best, those comments simply reflect the kind of person he is.

“He’s the complete package, and he’s a very humble person,” Kadets first-year coach John Mandico said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, too, but he’d much rather get an assist than a goal. He’s just a very selfless person, is very coachable and doesn’t have an ego.”

In large part behind Thornally’s actions on the field, the Kadets survived a 2-4 start and made a run all the way to the 4A state semifinal game, where they fell just short, 15-13 to eventual champ Valor Christian.

But it wasn’t for lack of effort.

Thornally recorded a career-high eight goals in that contest, added two assists, and nearly carried his team into the state championship game.

“I never thought I’d go out that way, in a state semifinal like that,” Thornally said. “I know every loss is tough, but looking back, we can’t be too mad about the way we played. That’s what sticks out the most about my senior year. All I know is I definitely didn’t have much in the tank at the end.”

Next, Thornally will take his talents while hoping to further elevate his game at the Air Force Academy, a lacrosse team that made plenty headlines during the 2016 season in which the Falcons won 15 games in a row and qualified for the NCAA championships for the second time in three years.

Mandico, a former instructor and coach at Air Force, sees Thornally as a model cadet, athlete and future lieutenant.

“He’s really a good fit for his leadership skills, to go with his drive and motivation,” Mandico said. “Now he’s headed to the big stage. Lacrosse is such a team-dependent game, one where you can’t have one superstar that does everything, even though he does a lot. He engages his teammates and sets them up for success.”

For Thornally, the leadership component comes naturally.

“I think it’s being in the moment,” Thornally said. “Lacrosse is something I’m so passionate about. I want to be the best I can be and make the team that best it can be, too.”

As the undisputed leading scorer on the boys’ lacrosse team at Air Academy, Jake Thornally had gotten used to being singled out. He could duck, weave and spin out of just about any double-team his opposition threw at him during the recently completed season.

He wasn’t quite as prepared to be singled out once the final whistle sounded to end his high school career.

Chosen as his school’s Male Athlete of the Year after a season in which he scored 63 goals and added 49 assists – second and fifth in the state, respectively – Thornally said he felt a bit uncomfortable being front and center.

“I was a little surprised,” Thornally said. “There were so many great athletes nominated. On the girls’ side, (cross country and track athlete) Katie Rainsberger was the top female. She’s unreal. Being in the same category as her is pretty surreal.”

But to those who know Jake the best, those comments simply reflect the kind of person he is.

“He’s the complete package, and he’s a very humble person,” Kadets first-year coach John Mandico said. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, too, but he’d much rather get an assist than a goal. He’s just a very selfless person, is very coachable and doesn’t have an ego.”

In large part behind Thornally’s actions on the field, the Kadets survived a 2-4 start and made a run all the way to the 4A state semifinal game, where they fell just short, 15-13 to eventual champ Valor Christian.

But it wasn’t for lack of effort.

Thornally recorded a career-high eight goals in that contest, added two assists, and nearly carried his team into the state championship game.

“I never thought I’d go out that way, in a state semifinal like that,” Thornally said. “I know every loss is tough, but looking back, we can’t be too mad about the way we played. That’s what sticks out the most about my senior year. All I know is I definitely didn’t have much in the tank at the end.”

Next, Thornally will take his talents while hoping to further elevate his game at the Air Force Academy, a lacrosse team that made plenty headlines during the 2016 season in which the Falcons won 15 games in a row and qualified for the NCAA championships for the second time in three years.

Mandico, a former instructor and coach at Air Force, sees Thornally as a model cadet, athlete and future lieutenant.

“He’s really a good fit for his leadership skills, to go with his drive and motivation,” Mandico said. “Now he’s headed to the big stage. Lacrosse is such a team-dependent game, one where you can’t have one superstar that does everything, even though he does a lot. He engages his teammates and sets them up for success.”

For Thornally, the leadership component comes naturally.

“I think it’s being in the moment,” Thornally said. “Lacrosse is something I’m so passionate about. I want to be the best I can be and make the team that best it can be, too.”