Gabriel Collison of La Crescenta successfully completed four years of challenging academic, physical, and professional military training, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, May 25 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a commission as a U.S. Navy Ensign. Collison was awarded his appointment to the Naval Academy by Congressman Adam Schiff.

He is a graduate of Crescenta Valley High School where he was a four-year letter winner in both cross-country and track. He was a state qualifier in cross-country in back-to-back seasons (2013-14) and part of the 4x800m relay squad that helped win the league championship in 2013. For the 2013-14 season, Collison was named team captain and team MVP in both cross-country and track.

At the academy, Collison was a member of the cross-country and track teams. He ran with Naval Academy’s cross-country team in the 2017 NCAA nationals. Collison finished out his running career at the Naval Academy by running a 14:49 5K in the Patriot League championship meet. Both the men’s and women’s Navy track teams placed first overall.

Collison has been selected to become a naval aviator. He will begin his pilot training in the fall 2018.