Hong, Kling, and McKane Named December Scholar-Athletes of the Month by Center for Enhanced Performance

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point Athletics Association's Academic Support team has selected its scholar-athletes for the month of December, recognizing hockey's Nik Hong, men's swimming & diving's Joey Kling, and women's swimming & diving's Angie McKane.

Nik Hong '27 (Hockey)
Cadet Nikolas Hong, a junior forward on the Army Hockey team, has emerged as a top scholar athlete and leader this season; he has played in every game and contributed immensely to the team's success thus far. In his third season, he has shown the ability to balance academics with the Hockey team's grueling travel schedule.

Army Hockey is gearing up for the second half of the season and a push into the playoffs; Nik will help lead the Black Knights in this effort. Nik has demonstrated exceptional leadership both on and off the ice for our program. On the ice, he is one of the most well-rounded players on our team and a consistent positive contributor. He has made a direct impact in several key wins this season, including multiple multi-point performances. In a predictably tough November stretch of conference games against Bentley and Niagara, Nik had consecutive games with two goals each. Nik is a quiet leader on the ice and a selfless example to his team, frequently creating scoring opportunities, blocking shots, and rising to the occasion when his team needs him most. Coach Zach McKelvie shared that "Defensively, Nik is our most reliable and consistent forward, with the versatility and trust to play in every situation we ask. The mark of a great player is the ability to perform at the end of a game, whether protecting a lead or trailing, and Nik leads the way in both. Off the ice, he sets the standard in our locker room while successfully managing a demanding academic schedule. The bottom line is that Nik exemplifies what it means to be a scholar-athlete and sets the standard for our program."

Nik is excelling academically and has an impressive 3.968 cumulative grade point average. He is an Economics major who naturally excels in that field, but he is also performing well in physics, chemistry, and philosophy. Dr. Anna Weber states that Nik "is one of the strongest economics majors I have taught at West Point. He consistently performs at the top of the class on exams. Further, Nik consistently demonstrates leadership by proactively communicating his sports-related absences (often on behalf of himself and his teammates) and participating in class with insightful and productive comments and questions. Nik is continuing to challenge himself academically by taking on the thesis program in economics beginning next semester, and given his academic skill and intellectual curiosity, I expect him to excel in this program." In addition to leading in Economics, he frequently receives accolades for his scores on exams in the core courses. His mental agility and ability to excel across all pillars in the middle of the hockey season is impressive.

Nik is also a quiet, steady leader amongst his teammates in group settings, frequently assisting others when studying and always eager to share insight on difficult concepts. His teammates benefit greatly from his ability and willingness to communicate difficult concepts. He is not just a scholar athlete, but he excels in the military pillar as well by demonstrating outstanding leadership in his academic year company and during summer field training. He has maintained a MPSC above 3.5 despite spending very little time in his company area due to the rigors of hockey. Nik's ability to quickly adjust to the scholar athlete dynamic here at West Point is impressive. Army Head Coach Zach McKelvie, his teammates, and the Officer Representatives also recognize his ability to stand out as a leader. He displays that in the classroom, on the ice, and in the company area.

This cadet is outstanding and demonstrating the unique ability to balance the rigors of life as a cadet, being a member of the hockey team, and having success in the classroom. CDT Hong is an outstanding example of success as a scholar athlete at USMA.

Joey Kling '26 (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Cadet Joseph Kling, a Firstie and captain for Men's Swimming and Diving, excels in all pillars at West Point. As one of the lead scorers for the team, Joey is a focused and dedicated athlete who expertly balances the rigors of West Point's 3-pillar physical, military, and academic programs.

He is in the top 10 all-time academy swimmers across five events and most notably holds the Academy record in the 200 Individual Medley and has the second fastest time in program history in the 100 Breast. He leads by example in the pool and motivates the team on deck at every practice and competition.

In addition to his leadership on deck and in the pool, Joey excels in the classroom as a mechanical engineering major. He consistently makes the Dean's list and carries a 3.7 QPA overall with 3.8 in his major. He is using expertise gained in his elective courses and summer internship experiences this year leading a multi-disciplinary capstone team designing low earth orbit satellites.

Joey also excelled last semester as the Battalion Personnel Officer (S1) for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Regiment and will move back to company this spring. Joey will lead Army Men's Swimming and Diving this spring toward the Patriot League Championship meet and mentor and lead individual teammates toward NCAA showings post season.

Angie McKane '28 (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Cadet Angie McKane is a rising star on army Women's Swimming and Diving. As a sophomore, this season Angie has set Academy records in the 100 Free, 100 Fly, 50 Back, and 200 Individual Medley (IM). She set the Patriot League (PL) All-Time record in the 100 Fly; this is the only individual Patriot League record held by Army Swimming & Diving. She was also a member of the relay team that set the Patriot League All-Time record in 200 Medley Relay.

Her fall competition season culminated with Angie winning all four of her events at the Navy meet, setting meet records in the same four events, and achieving high scorer for the meet. She has already qualified for NCAA competition in the 100fly this spring. She has achieved Dean's List honors every semester thus far as a Systems Engineering major and received a grade of A+ for her leadership role this year as a team leader in her company.

Angie's dedication to excellence across all pillars at West Point is infectious. She fiercely supports her teammates in the pool as well as those in her company. Her steadfast enthusiasm, winning spirit, and commitment to excellence set a sterling example for peers and subordinates alike. She is a standout leader, scholar, and athlete who represents the best the Academy has to offer.

Army West Point Athletics

Hong, Kling, and McKane Named December Scholar-Athletes of the Month by Center for Enhanced Performance

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