Navy Athletics: A Season in Review

Naval Academy Athletics Shines with Record-Breaking Year

The Naval Academy’s athletic department has concluded a truly extraordinary year,marked by a remarkable haul of individual accolades,conference championships,and a national title. Midshipmen across a diverse range of sports have demonstrated unparalleled skill and dedication, earning notable recognition from the Patriot League, ECAC, MAISA, and on the national stage.

Individual Excellence Dominates:

The season was highlighted by numerous prestigious individual awards,showcasing the exceptional talent within the Brigade of Midshipmen.

In women’s basketball, Anai Barnett-Gay was recognized as the patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. Julianna Almeida was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year, while Alyssa Chung earned both Patriot League and ECAC Rookie of the Year honors in women’s lacrosse. Megan Kirkpatrick was crowned Patriot League Rookie of the year in women’s golf, and Ty Deperno received the same honor for baseball.

The track and field program celebrated the achievements of Nathan Kent, who was named Patriot League Indoor Men’s Track Athlete of the Meet and Highest Point Scorer, and later earned Patriot League Outdoor Men’s Track Athlete of the meet.

Tennis saw significant triumphs, with Emily Tannenbaum being named Patriot League Player of the Year and, alongside Olivia Fermo, securing the Patriot League doubles Team of the Year award. Luke Garner and Jake Young also earned Patriot League Doubles Team of the Year honors for men’s tennis.

Women’s golf saw Emma Tang recognized as Patriot League Golfer of the Year. The sailing team also had a strong showing, with Nathan Smith named MAISA Open skipper of the Year and Ellie Alex taking home MAISA Crew of the Year.Championship Success Across Multiple Disciplines:

The Midshipmen celebrated an remarkable eleven conference championships:

Men’s Cross Country (Patriot League)
Women’s Swimming & Diving (Patriot League)
Men’s Swimming & Diving (ECAC)
Gymnastics (mutual championship)
Men’s Indoor Track & Field (Patriot League)
Women’s Lacrosse (Patriot League)
Women’s Golf (Patriot League)
Intercollegiate sailing’s Team Race Championship (MAISA)
Intercollegiate Sailing’s Match Race Championship (MAISA)
Men’s Rugby (Rugby East)
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field (Patriot League)

Adding to the national prominence,the Naval Academy secured one national championship in Squash,winning the U.S. Intercollegiate Doubles Championship.

Naval Academy Major Award Winners:

The dedication and leadership of these student-athletes were further recognized with the prestigious Naval Academy Major Awards:

Senior Landon Kru (Baseball) received the NAAA Sword for Men.
Senior Emily Tannenbaum (Women’s Tennis) was awarded the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women.
Junior Blake Horvath (Football) earned the Thompson Trophy Cup.
* Jacob Douberly (men’s swimming & diving) and Alexandra Wercinski (women’s cross country and track & field) were honored with the Coaches’ Calvert Awards.

This banner year underscores the Naval Academy’s commitment to athletic excellence and the outstanding achievements of its student-athletes.

What specific facility upgrades were recently completed by the NAAA to support Navy athletic programs?

Football: A Resilient Campaign

The Navy Midshipmen football team concluded the 2024 season with a commendable 8-5 record, showcasing the program’s continued strength in option football. Key to their success was a consistent rushing attack, averaging over 200 yards per game. Quarterback Tai lavatai led the charge,demonstrating both running and passing capabilities.

Key Victories: Notable wins included a hard-fought victory against Army in the annual Army-Navy game, securing bragging rights for another year. A strong showing against conference rivals also highlighted their competitive edge.

Areas for Betterment: While the rushing game thrived, passing efficiency remained an area for development. Improving the deep threat and overall passing yardage will be crucial for future success.

Player Spotlight: Wide receiver Jayden Umbarger emerged as a key target, consistently making impactful plays. his development will be vital for the team’s offensive progression.

Men’s Basketball: Building Momentum

Navy Men’s Basketball finished the season with a 14-18 overall record, demonstrating significant progress under Head Coach Ed DeChellis. The team’s focus on defensive intensity and disciplined play proved effective in several key matchups.

Conference Performance: The midshipmen navigated a challenging Patriot League schedule, securing a respectable position in the standings.

Standout Players: guard Daniel Deaver led the team in scoring, showcasing his ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. Forward Richard Njoku provided a strong presence in the paint, contributing considerably to rebounding efforts.

Recruiting Focus: Coach DeChellis has emphasized recruiting versatile players who can contribute on both ends of the court, signaling a commitment to a well-rounded team approach.

Women’s Basketball: A Season of Growth

The Navy Women’s Basketball team experienced a rebuilding year, finishing with a 10-20 record. Despite the challenges, the team displayed resilience and a commitment to improvement.

Young Core: The team relied heavily on a young core of players, providing valuable experiance for the future.

Defensive strategies: Head Coach Cindy Pineda implemented a new defensive system focused on forcing turnovers and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities.

Key Contributors: Forward Mimi Collins led the team in scoring and rebounding, demonstrating her potential as a dominant force in the Patriot League.

Lacrosse: Dominance Continues

Navy Men’s Lacrosse continued its tradition of excellence, reaching the NCAA Tournament and finishing with a 12-4 record. Their strong defensive unit and efficient offense proved to be a formidable combination.

Patriot League Champions: The Midshipmen secured the Patriot League Championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Defensive Prowess: goalie Wyatt Phillips anchored the defense, consistently making crucial saves and limiting opponents’ scoring chances.

Offensive Firepower: Attackman Jack Burns led the team in scoring, showcasing his ability to find the back of the net in critical moments.

Sailing: National Recognition

Navy Sailing consistently ranks among the nation’s elite programs, and the 2024 season was no exception.The team achieved several top-10 finishes in national regattas.

Intercollegiate Sailing association (ICSA) Rankings: Navy maintained a strong position in the ICSA rankings, solidifying its reputation as a sailing powerhouse.

Key Regattas: Successes at events like the Fowle Memorial and the Thompson Trophy highlighted the team’s competitive edge.

Dedicated Coaching Staff: The program benefits from a dedicated coaching staff committed to developing skilled and competitive sailors.

Rowing: tradition of Excellence

Navy Rowing continued its long-standing tradition of excellence, with both the men’s and women’s teams achieving success throughout the season.

IRA National Championship (Men’s): The Men’s rowing team competed fiercely at the IRA National Championship, showcasing their strength and endurance.

Patriot League Championships (Women’s): The Women’s team had a strong showing at the patriot League championships, earning several podium finishes.

Rigorous Training Regimen: Both teams adhere to a rigorous training regimen, emphasizing physical conditioning and technical proficiency.

Naval Academy Athletic association (NAAA) Updates

The NAAA continues to invest in facilities and resources to support all Navy athletic programs. Recent upgrades include improvements to the football stadium and the construction of a new training center. These investments