US Cyber Games Graduates Season V Pipeline, Advancing America's Next Generation of Cyber Defenders

US Cyber Games Graduates Season V Pipeline, Advancing America's Next Generation of Cyber Defenders

32 elite cyber athletes complete invitation-only development program in pursuit of a spot on the Season VI, US Cyber Team

WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 16, 2026 — US Cyber Games® today announced the graduation of 32 elite cyber athletes from its highly selective Season V, USCG Pipeline Program, an invitation-only, talent development initiative designed to identify, train, and prepare America's next generation of cybersecurity talent for international competition and future workforce leadership.

As demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to outpace supply, programs that identify and develop exceptional technical talent have become increasingly important to strengthening the nation's cyber resilience. As one of the core, future-looking aspects of the US Cyber Games, the Pipeline Program provides advanced technical training, competitive experience, and mentorship for high-potential athletes pursuing selection to the US Cyber Team.

Over the course of the 5-month curriculum, participants collectively completed nearly 900 hours of targeted technical training, challenge development, and leadership, ethics, and career readiness programming, strengthening their skills across both cognitive/ “power” skills and critical cybersecurity disciplines, including Web Exploitation, Reverse Engineering, Cryptography, Digital Forensics, Binary Exploitation (PWN), and Attack/Defense exercises focused on real-world vulnerabilities and CVEs.

Participation in the Pipeline Program is by coach invitation only. Athletes are selected from the US Cyber Combine based on demonstrated technical ability, teamwork, competitive performance, and leadership potential. The program serves as one of the final development stages before consideration for the US Cyber Team, which represents the United States in premier international cybersecurity competitions, including the International Cybersecurity Competition (ICC), European Cybersecurity Challenge (ECSC), and the Women's International Cybersecurity Challenge (WICC).

"What makes this group exceptional isn't simply technical skill—it's their commitment to showing up, to bettering themselves, and to collaborating as a team," said Brad Wolfenden, Director of Cyber Sports at Katzcy PlayCyber. "Those are the qualities required to defend critical systems, compete successfully on the international stage, and become the cybersecurity leaders our nation needs."

"Cybersecurity is ultimately a people challenge," said Jessica Gulick, Commissioner of the US Cyber Games and CEO of Katzcy PlayCyber. "The Pipeline Program exists to identify exceptional talent early, develop both technical excellence and teamwork, and create opportunities for these athletes to represent the United States while strengthening our nation's cybersecurity workforce for years to come."

Graduates receive individualized Certificates of Completion documenting their technical performance, engagement, and estimated effort throughout the program. Participants also earn exclusive digital credentials and receive automatic invitations to the upcoming Season VI, US Cyber Combine, continuing their development within the US Cyber Games talent pipeline.

Additionally, US Cyber Games Pipeline Program sponsors, SANS Institute and OffSec, contribute training and certification vouchers. These “athlete benefits” are given to top performers to recognize their hard work and dedication, and to further enable their continued development.

Over the past five seasons, the Pipeline Program has consistently produced athletes who have gone on to earn positions on the US Cyber Team and represent the United States in international cybersecurity competitions.

Season V Pipeline Training Camp by the Numbers

• 32 elite cyber athletes completed the program
• Nearly 900 hours of combined technical training and challenge development
• 6 advanced technical disciplines are emphasized throughout the curriculum
• 3 athletes earned perfect technical scores across both landmark technical challenges
• 1 athlete achieved a perfect community engagement score
• 3 SANS vouchers and 10 OFFSEC vouchers
• 50% of the program's highest-performing athletes came from high schools, demonstrating that exceptional cybersecurity talent is emerging well before college

Season V Top Honorees

Representing leading universities and outstanding secondary schools from across the country, these athletes distinguished themselves through exceptional technical achievement and sustained commitment throughout the program.

Overall Top Honorees

• Alex Cantor — Johnston High School
• Jonathan Garcia — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Peter Xiao — Montgomery Blair High School
• Zoey Linardos — University of Maine at Augusta

Outstanding Achievement Honorees

• Shalin Madabhavi — Foothill High School
• Andrey Nikitin — University of Florida
• Lamaria Kerrens — Dakota State University
• Eric Chen — Panther Creek High School
• Dimitrios Skrettas — Eastern Michigan University
• Jessica Counselman — Acellus Academy

Program Highlights

Perfect Technical Achievement

Only three athletes achieved a perfect score (750/750 points) across both landmark technical assessments—the CTF Challenge Walk-through and the Beginner's Game Room Challenge Development project.

Honorees:

• Alex Cantor — Johnston High School
• Eric Chen — Panther Creek High School
• Nicholas Assaderaghi — Columbia University

Outstanding Community Engagement

Community collaboration is a defining characteristic of the US Cyber Games experience. Lamaria Kerrens (Dakota State University) earned the program's only perfect engagement score (2,250/2,250 points), reflecting exceptional participation in lectures, office hours, mentoring, and collaborative learning throughout the season.

High School Talent Continues to Rise

Half of the program's highest-performing athletes were high school students, demonstrating that world-class cybersecurity talent is increasingly emerging at the secondary education level and reinforcing the importance of investing in early talent development.

The completion of the Season V Pipeline Program marks another milestone in the continued growth of the United States' national cyber talent pipeline. As mentors, competitors, and future candidates for the US Cyber Team, these graduates will continue developing the technical expertise and leadership skills needed to strengthen America's cybersecurity future.

Students interested in future US Cyber Games opportunities, educators seeking to engage their schools, and organizations interested in supporting the next generation of cyber defenders can learn more at www.uscybergames.com.

About US Cyber Games

US Cyber Games® is America's premier national cyber talent identification, training, and international competition program. Working alongside partners from industry, academia, and government, the program identifies, develops, and advances the nation's most promising cybersecurity talent through hands-on competition, elite coaching, and international representation. Through initiatives including the US Cyber Open, US Cyber Combine, Pipeline Program, and the US Cyber Team, US Cyber Games is building the next generation of cyber defenders who will protect the nation's digital future. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce provides support for this initiative through NICE, under financial assistance award #70NANB22H102.