Cole Announces 2026 Military Academy Nominations

November 18, 2025 Press Release 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 ###