<p>Mids ranked No. 10 by CSA</p>
<p>For Immediate Release
Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006
Squash Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773</p>
<p>Navy Squash Cracks the Top 10</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Boasting a 10-2 record, the Navy squash team is off to one of its best starts in program history. The Midshipmen have been rewarded for their fine play as the College Squash Association has ranked Navy No. 10 in the Dec. 19 edition of the team rankings. It marks the second time under seventh-year head coach Craig Dawson that Navy has been ranked 10th in the country and is the highest ranking under Dawson's direction.</p>
<p>Navy has earned wins over three top-20 programs, including a 5-4 victory over then 10th-ranked Amherst on Dec. 1. Having played Amherst just six times since 1991, it marked the Mids' first win over the Lord Jeffs since their 7-2 victory on Dec. 4, 1991. Additionally, the Mids have defeated No. 17 Denison, 7-2, and No. 14 Bowdoin, 8-1. Navy's two losses have been to No. 1-ranked Trinity, 9-0, and No. 7 Dartmouth, 6-3.</p>
<p>Sophomore Christopher Zipf (Gladwyne, Pa.) owns a team-best 10 wins this winter playing in the middle of the ladder, while freshman Ben Mantica (Binghamton, N.Y.) has turned in a 9-2 record, playing primarily at the No. 6 position. Team captain and No. 1 player Tucker George (West Hartford, Conn.) has suffered just one loss this year, dropping a 3-0 decision to fourth-ranked Gustav Detter of top-ranked Trinity.</p>
<p>"Breaking into the top 10 in the rankings is a significant accomplishment for our program," said Dawson. "Our players are going home for the holidays, but will be training to come back strong for the balance of the season in January and February."</p>
<p>The Mids' return to the court in mid-January will not be an easy task as Navy will travel to fourth-ranked Penn on Jan. 10, followed by a home match-up against No. 8 Williams four days later at Halsey Field House beginning at 12:00 pm.</p>