Nansemond-Suffolk Academy boys’ lacrosse players Simon Dowd and Mason Harrell earned All-American recognition.

The NSA boys’ lacrosse team is a month removed from the school’s first state title in the sport. Because of such a strong season by the Saints, they were rewarded in All-Conference and All-State teams and now U.S. Lacrosse All-American honors.

Dowd was selected a U.S. Lacrosse All-American after a stellar season. He was a first team All-Conference representative and was also selected first team All-State. He was key in helping the Saints achieve their goal of a state title.

“I am very happy with how our team performed and how I performed this season,” Dowd said. “The main thing for me this year was just to win a state championship, and we accomplished that, so I felt like I did my job this season. I am very honored to be an All-American.”

Harrell was recognized as an Academic All-American. The senior had a strong season, also helping the Saints during the championship run and earning himself a second team All-State selection and first team All-Conference selection.

“I was actually surprised to be recognized, just because I’m not sure how many times this has happened at my school,” Harrell said. “I’m definitely just honored to be chosen as one.”

As Harrell heads to college, he described his final season at NSA as a dream come true.

“It was an incredible experience, and it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Harrell said. “Playing in big games like that is really fun, and seeing the joy that my whole team had when we won was awesome.”

It was an all-around team effort for NSA to achieve a goal that hadn’t been done in the program’s history. The Saints went into the state tournament as the No. 3 seed and came out as champions. They saved their best for last when they reached the state tournament as they intended to.

NSA finished with five All-Conference selections and six All-State selections. Dowd will be returning for his senior season, along with most of the core from the championship team.