Kinnelon Grad Continues Winning Ways at Air Force Academy

A Kinnelon resident was part of the effort that led the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons lacrosse team to a 16-12 win over Geneva, N.Y.'s Hobart College Statesmen Saturday afternoon at the military team's home stadium.

Kinnelon High School graduate Mike Crampton, a junior at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, scored three goals to achieve a hat trick for the Falcons in the season ender. 

Crampton's hat trick was just part of the game's action, which offered sloppy play—including nine turnovers—in the first period, but became hotly contested in the second. Junior Erik Smith of Colorado earned a career-topping four goals, sophomore Ryland de Pol of Maryland landed a hat trick and Pennsylvanian Keith Dreyer, a sophomore, landed a personal best with five assists.

The Kinnelon player's play comes as no surprise. Crampton has distinguished himself over his nearly three years at the Air Force Academy.

According to his official biography, he has played in and started all Falcons lacrosse games since being enrolled there. He finished last season with a team-leading 29 goals, the most earned by an Air Force player since 1998. And Crampton ended the year ranked 23rd in the nation in goals per game with 2.23. He also scored a five man-up goals, more than anyone else on the team; notched five assists, 30 ground balls and three caused turnovers on the season; registered a team-best six hat tricks on the year against teams including Rutgers, Robert Morris, Quinnipiac, Loyola and Hobart.

On April 30, 2012, Crampton was named the Air Force Athlete of the Week on April after landing a hat trick in last year's season finale.

For 2013, the 5-feet-10, 165-pounder serves as the team's tri-captain and serves as a member of Air Force cadet squadron 29. 

Lacrosse was only part of what made Crampton stand out at KHS: He earned two varsity letters in the sport for coach Kevin Kelly, won the Morris County Championship and the New Jersey Group 1 state championship. But he was also outstanding in hockey, earning four letters, winning a state championship and the title of Most Valuable Player, and being named a Morris County Scholar-Athlete.

Crampton lives in Kinnelon with his parents Pete and Karen Crampton and two siblings.