SANS.edu Dominates Experienced Division at Spring 2026 National Cyber League Competition

Bethesda, MD — May 8, 2025 — The SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu) demonstrated the strength of its hands-on, career-focused cybersecurity programs with another exceptional performance in the Spring 2026 National Cyber League (NCL) Competition, earning the #1 Power Ranking and fielding both the #1 team and #1 individual player in the Experienced division.

“At SANS.edu, students don’t just learn cybersecurity, they actively apply their skills at the highest level,” said Ed Skoudis, President of the SANS Technology Institute. “Fielding 5 of the top 10 individual players and 3 of the top 5 teams in the Experienced division is a testament to our students’ dedication and our commitment to producing job-ready cybersecurity professionals.”

The NCL Competition is one of the largest cybersecurity competitions in the United States, challenging students to solve real-world scenarios across areas such as network traffic analysis, web application security, cryptography, and incident response. Three SANS.edu Sentinels teams placed in the top five overall in the Experienced division, securing 1st, 3rd, and 5th place finishes.

Top 5 Experienced Division Teams

1st Place Team

• Brian Davidson
• Samuel Decker
• Christopher Haller
• Nicholas Jones
• Tejas Luthra
• Tomi Bodwell Mamic
• Derrick Shaw

3rd Place Team

• Daniel Bak
• Jesus Banda
• Bradley Greer
• Jonathan Hemingway
• Robert Henderson
• Carson Shaffer
• Mohamed Shamaa

5th Place Team

• Ethan Brinks
• Skyler Cunha
• Mark Lester Dampios
• Eirik Marquez-Barnett
• Ava Masinsin
• Eric Roldan
• Nichole Thomas

In addition to their team success, SANS.edu students dominated the individual competition in the Experienced division, with 5 SANS.edu students placing in the top 10 nationally and 31 students in the top 100. Bradley Greer, who earned 1st place overall and captained the 3rd-place team, said, “SANS first got on my radar when I was an undergrad and kept seeing Sentinel teams at the top of the NCL leaderboard. Now, competing alongside other experienced players really highlights how important it is to stay current. The training at SANS.edu helps you stay sharp in a field that’s constantly evolving. I regularly use my course textbooks while competing in CTFs. Finishing first was an incredible experience.”

Top 10 Experienced Division Individual Players

• 1st Place: Bradley Greer (National Champion)
• 3rd Place: Tejas Luthra
• 4th Place: Nicholas Jones
• 5th Place: Jonathan Hemingway
• 7th Place: Derrick Shaw

About SANS Technology Institute (SANS.edu)

The SANS Technology Institute, America's premier college for cybersecurity, delivers distinguished career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs, characterized by a world-class faculty of highly skilled information security practitioners, hands-on cybersecurity courses regularly updated for real-world relevance, and industry-recognized GIAC certifications earned within each program. SANS.edu offers innovative online and in-person course delivery options, including 100% online options for all its programs. Master's degree students at SANS.edu conduct leading-edge cybersecurity research, enhancing the state of the art in information security practices. The college also houses the Internet Storm Center, the world's leading global cyber threat detection network, where bachelor's degree students gain hands-on experience as Apprentice Handlers.

The SANS Technology Institute's emphasis on real-world skills, mentorship, and cutting-edge curriculum ensures graduates are equipped to defend against today's evolving cyber threats.

For more information about SANS Technology Institute and its programs, visit sans.edu.