Navy Sports

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<p>For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Falls in Slugfest at George Mason, 12-10</p>

<p>FAIRFAX, Va. – The Navy baseball scored in double figures for the second time in 2007, but proved to not be enough as the Midshipmen fell to George Mason, 12-10, on a windy Tuesday afternoon at Hap Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va. The loss drops Navy’s record to 15-8 on the year, while the Patriots evened their mark to 9-9 on the campaign.</p>

<p>The 10 runs scored by the Midshipmen were the most since their season-opening, 12-3 win at Florida A&M on Feb. 9. Navy also pounded out a season-best 15 hits, but also struck out 14 times on the afternoon and tied a season high in errors with four.</p>

<p>“We did not perform well in the simplest components of the game,” stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. “George Mason is a good team and played well today. However, when you commit four errors, constantly work behind in the count and not make enough contact, it’s going to be difficult to win.</p>

<p>“Today was a strange offensive game. I do think the 15 hits we had today contributed to a solid offensive output, but we didn’t do a good enough job in contact situations. Whenever you strike out 14 times, even with the 15 hits, you are really limiting the ability to score extra runs.”</p>

<p>Navy would use six base hits in the top-half of the first to take an early 5-0 lead. Junior Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) doubled to lead off the game and would come home on a passed ball to open the scoring. Senior team captain Michael Garcia (Kailua, Hawai’i) delivered a RBI single and freshman Steven Soares (Coral Springs, Fla.) produced a two-run single through the left side. Sophomore Jack Ferrick (Stafford, Va.) followed with a triple off the center field fence to plate Soares for the fifth run of the inning.</p>

<p>George Mason answered back, scoring nine unanswered runs between the first and fourth innings to pull ahead, 9-5.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen responded with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to knot the ballgame at nine. Junior Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) led off with a walk in the fifth and Garcia blooped a single to left with one out to put runners on the corners. Freshman Kendall Bolt (Stockton, Calif.) lifted a sacrifice fly in foul territory down the right-field line, and Soares singled to right to bring in Garcia.</p>

<p>Hollins singled in the sixth, and one out later, Harris belted a 400-foot shot over the center field fence. Harris has accounted for all of Navy’s home runs in 2007, recording his fourth round-tripper of the year on Tuesday.</p>

<p>However, the host Patriots came back to take the lead for good, scoring once in the sixth and twice in the seventh. Navy would not go quietly, as it scored a run in the eighth on a Harris single up the middle and sent the go-ahead run to the plate. Yet, George Mason reliever Jordan Flasher got out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout.</p>

<p>Harris went 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, a home run and three RBIs. Hollins posted a 3-for-5 effort at the plate with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Soares registered a 2-for-4 showing in the batter’s box with three RBIs, while Garcia went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI.</p>

<p>“Mitch and Renaldo each had very good days offensively, and we are going to need them both,” said Kostacopoulos. “Renaldo is doing a great job in the leadoff role, getting on base, stealing bases and scoring runs.”</p>

<p>Navy sophomore starter Matt White (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was lifted after 1.1 innings after allowing six runs, five of which were earned, on three hits and three walks. Junior reliever Mark Foris (Maspeth, N.Y.) was tagged for the loss, as he yielded the go-ahead run in the sixth to fall to 0-1 on the year. A total of six Navy pitchers were used in Tuesday’s contest, each of whom threw 2.1 innings or less.</p>

<p>“The bottom line for our pitching today was our inability to work ahead in the count,” commented Kostacopoulos. “As simple as it sounds, if you can’t get ahead, you’re going to have trouble pitching. In addition, working in 2-0, 3-0 and 3-1 counts, it allows the opposition to open up its running game.”</p>

<p>The Midshipmen return to Annapolis to host Yale in a three-game set on Friday through Sunday at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium. Friday’s game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., while Saturday’s action is slated for 1 p.m. and Sunday’s first pitch is on the docket for 12 noon.</p>

<p>Published in the Fond du Lac Reporter:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/FON02/703200647/1310%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/FON02/703200647/1310&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]

Basketball is now over for New Holstein native Betsy Burnett, but her career at Navy may continue for several more years. </p>

<p>Burnett scored 16 points to equal a season high and matched a career-high 10 rebounds March 3 in her final basketball game for the United States Naval Academy. </p>

<p>But Burnett, a senior, who will give the Navy five years of service now that her NCAA athletic eligibility is up, isn't taking any satisfaction in the fact she had a double-double in her final game. She can only think about how the Mids lost to visiting American University, 69-62, in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Tournament....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>For: Immediate Release
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Contact: Chris Forman - 410-293-8774</p>

<p>Navy Men's Soccer Announces Alumni Weekend Plans</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy men's soccer team has announced its plans for its annual Alumni Weekend, which will take place on April 20-21. The weekend will get underway on Friday with a golf outing at Renditions Golf Course and end with a contest against the 2005 NCAA Champion University of Maryland on Saturday at 5:30 pm, at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility. All former Navy men's soccer players are invited to attend the weekend and all soccer fans are invited to attend the game against Maryland.</p>

<p>The Alumni Golf Outing will be the first event of the weekend, taking place on Friday, April 20, at 10:00 am at Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville. Following that event, an icebreaker / social will take place at 5:00 pm, at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility.</p>

<p>On Saturday, the Mids will battle Shepherd University at 11:30 am, followed by a tilt with UMBC at 1:00 pm. At 2:30 pm, the annual Danny Humphreys Navy Soccer Alumni Game, featuring the odd years vs. the even years, will take place. The Navy Soccer Alumni Game was established by former soccer players who wanted to formalize the alumni soccer weekend and honor the traditional Danny Humphreys Alumni Game by recognizing the camaraderie and sacrifices of those who have gone before us but are not forgotten. The annual soccer match is what unites former players with current team members. The alumni game was established by Coach Greg Myers in honor of his former player Danny Humphreys. </p>

<p>Following the alumni game, a BBQ will be held prior to Navy's contest with Maryland, which starts at 5:30 pm.</p>

<p>For more information and registration procedures for all of the above events, please visit <a href="https://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=1639&srcid=1639%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=1639&srcid=1639&lt;/a> or call Navy assistant coach Patrick Kennedy at 410-293-5542.</p>

<p>For: Immediate Release
Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Contact: Chris Forman - 410-293-8774</p>

<p>Kunzelman Places Second At Junior Olympics</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy sophomore rifle team member Lisa Kunzelman (Constantia, N.Y.) placed second at the USA Shooting Junior Olympic Championships last weekend in Colorado Springs, Colo. Kunzelman was in third place after the preliminary rounds, but moved into second place following a strong performance in the finals. The high finish caps off a whirlwind week for Kunzelman, as last week, the sophomore earned All-America honors after a strong showing at the NCAA Championships.</p>

<p>"Lisa had another good performance, considering all that she went through. The airline lost her rifle and equipment and she had no training entering the event," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "She had an outstanding first day, and a decent second day. It was a good performance for her."</p>

<p>Kunzelman fired a 394 on the first day and a 389 on day two for a two-day score of 783. Kunzelman then scored a 101.2 in the finals to move to second, just 1.6 points behind the University of Kentucky's Ashley Jackson. </p>

<p>Ninety-nine competitors were entered in the event.</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Harris Named League Track Athlete of the Week</p>

<p>CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Following his IC4A-qualifying time in the 800-meter run to open the outdoor season, Navy men's track & field middle distance runner Paul Harris (Woodbury, Minn.) was named Patriot League Track Athlete of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday night.</p>

<p>The weekly recongition is the second for Harris during his outdoor career and the sixth between both indoor and outdoor seasons.</p>

<p>After earning All-America honors in the 800-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship one weekend before in Arkansas, Harris won the 800-meter run at the Point Loma Invitational last Saturday with an IC4A Championship-qualifying time of 1:51.94. The lone Navy participant in the event, Harris crossed the finish line nearly nine seconds ahead of the second-place runner from Point Loma Nazarene.</p>

<p>Harris' first-place performance helped the Midshipmen to a first-place score of 141 points last Saturday, ahead of host Point Loma Nazarene's 133 points and Baker's 38 points.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen (2-0) return to action this Saturday with a tri-meet against American and Maryland at Ingram Field in Annapolis.</p>

<p>Penn 7, Navy 0</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Penn Posts 7-0 Victory over Navy</p>

<p>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Penn swept the three doubles matches and posted five straight set singles victories in recording a 7-0 win over the Navy tennis team, Wednesday afternoon at Levy Pavilion in Philadelphia.</p>

<p>The Quaker lineup features four singles players and one doubles team who hold Northeast Region rankings, with No. 1 singles player Jason Pinsky also ranked 76th nationally in singles.</p>

<p>"It was not one of our better matches of the season," said Navy head coach John Officer. "Penn was too strong for us today. Their top three players are some of the better players in the region and we didn't fare as well against them as we needed to."</p>

<p>The Quakers, 5-11 on the year, dropped a total of eight games in winning the three doubles matches from the Mids, then lost a combined seven games in winning at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 singles. Pinsky recorded a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Nate Nelms (So., St. Mary's, Ga.), Jonathan Boyd, the No. 11 singles player in the region, won a 6-1, 6-1 match over Jason Hill (So., Marietta, Ga.) at No. 2 singles, and Mikhail Bekker, ranked 20th regionally, posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Johnny Waters (So., Papillion, Neb.) at No. 3 singles.</p>

<p>Navy, 6-10 on the season, will return home for a pair of matches this weekend against Colgate and Bucknell, with both matches slated to begin at 12 Noon. Weather permitting, Saturday's match against the Raiders and Sunday's match against the Raiders will be played outdoors at the U.S. Naval Academy.</p>

<p>"We have faced a challenging schedule to date, with the hope that facing these opponents will have better prepared ourselves for the start of the Patriot League season," said Officer. "We need to play better than we did today if we want to win the league, however."</p>

<p>Penn (5-11) def. Navy (6-10), 7-0
Doubles (Penn wins the doubles point)
1 - Pinsky/Eric Riley (Penn) def. Hill/Nelms, 8-3
2 - Bekker/Boym (Penn) def. Kahl/Lai, 8-4
3 - Fox/Brandon O'Gara (Penn) def. James/Ramsey Lemaich, 8-1</p>

<p>Singles
1 - Jason Pinsky (Penn) def. Nate Nelms (Navy), 6-2, 6-2
2 - Jonathan Boym (Penn) def. Jason Hill (Navy), 6-1, 6-1
3 - Mikhail Bekker (Penn) def. John Waters (Navy), 6-1, 6-0
4 - Justin Fox (Penn) def. Adrian Lai (Navy), 6-3, 6-4
5 - Adam Schwartz (Penn) def. Stanley Kahl (Navy), 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-8)
6 - Alex Vasin (Penn) def. Alex James (Navy), 6-2, 6-4</p>

<p>For: Immediate Release
Sent: March 22, 2007
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775</p>

<p>Navy Sports Magazine Show Airs Tonight On 1430 WNAV</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The Comcast Navy Sports Magazine Show airs tonight at 6 p.m. on 1430 WNAV in Annapolis. The 30-minute show, hosted by Bob Socci, will feature interviews with Billy Looney of the men's lacrosse team and head women's lacrosse coach Cindy Timchal.</p>

<p>The Navy Sports Magazine Show will also air on WLRT (1490 AM, <a href="http://www.1490theoutlaw.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.1490theoutlaw.com&lt;/a&gt;) on Friday at 5 p.m. and on 1050 WFED (<a href="http://www.federalnewsradio.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.federalnewsradio.com&lt;/a&gt;) in Washington, D.C. on Saturday morning at 7 a.m.</p>

<p>Navy All-Access will also archive the show and it will be available for subscribers every Friday (<a href="http://navysports.cstv.com/)%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://navysports.cstv.com/)&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/navy/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/navy/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/depth-chart.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Mids to Open League Tennis Season this Weekend</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy tennis team will open its Patriot League season this weekend by playing host to Colgate and Bucknell in Annapolis. Saturday's match against the Raiders and Sunday's contest against the Bison are both slated to begin at 12 Noon at the Naval Academy Tennis Courts. </p>

<p>Should poor weather move the matches inside, they will be instead be played at the nearby Severn Valley Tennis & Fitness Club.</p>

<p>"We are eager to begin the league season," said Navy head coach John Officer. "Our schedule to date was set up to
give us top-flight competition to toughen us up for the league season.</p>

<p>"Colgate beat us last year so we will need to be ready for them, and Bucknell is a competitive team, as well."</p>

<p>The Mids have faced a challenging schedule to date, one which has seen Navy face five teams who have earned a national ranking at some point this season. Navy enters the start of league play with a 6-10 record on the year.</p>

<p>Colgate brings a 4-8 record on the year with them to The Yard, with one of their setbacks being a 5-2 defeat to Army in its lone league match of the season.</p>

<p>The Raiders posted a 4-3 victory over the Mids last season in Hamilton, N.Y. Navy won the doubles point, but Colgate won at Nos. 1-2-3-4 singles to rally for the victory. Three of those singles victories by the Raiders were decided in three sets. </p>

<p>In an afternoon of close contests, the No. 1 singles match between Navy's Nate Nelms (So., St. Mary's, Ga.) and Colgate's Chris Innes was perhaps the match of the day. Nelms won the first set by a score of 6-3, but Innes evened the match with a 7-5 victory in the second set. The final set was extended to a tiebreaker, with Innes eventually winning the tiebreaker by a score of 11-9.</p>

<p>Another tight match took place at No. 2 singles, where Colgate's Martin MacIntyre recorded a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over Jason Hill (So., Marietta, Ga.).</p>

<p>Both teams return five of the six players who were in their respective lineups last year.</p>

<p>Bucknell enters a weekend that begins with a Saturday match at UMBC with a 4-7 record on the year. Sunday's match against Navy will be the first league contest of the season for the Bison.</p>

<p>One day after last year's loss to Colgate, Navy posted a 5-2 victory over Bucknell in Lewisburg, Pa. The three doubles matches between the teams were very close, with the Mids securing the point on a 9-7 victory at No. 3 doubles by the team of Hill and Johnny Waters (So., Papillion, Neb.) over Jonathan Brenner and Ben Young. Navy then posted straight set wins in four singles flights to record the overall team victory.</p>

<p>The Bison return only three of the seven players from their lineup which faced the Mids last season, with Brenner and Young included among the returning players.</p>

<p>Transcript Of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson's Comments at Navy's spring football luncheon for the beat reporters</p>

<p>Transcript Of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson's Comments at Navy's spring football luncheon for the beat reporters</p>

<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Christian Swezey (Washington Post), Gary Lambrecht (Baltimore Sun), Corey Masisak Washington Times), Ron Snyder (Baltimore Examiner) and Bob Socci (Navy Radio Network)y</p>

<p>Wagner: Is anybody switching positions entering the spring?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yes</p>

<p>Wagner: Who?</p>

<p>Johnson: Several guys. We are going to move Will Scarle, Mike Walsh and Zach Weatherington to defensive end, Craig Schaefer is moving from inside to outside linebacker, Ram Vela is moving from slot back to defensive back, Corey Johnson is going from point guard to safety.</p>

<p>Wagner: Are you going to keep Sudderth at wide receiver?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yes. I don't know if he's going to go during the spring because he's hurt. Antron Harper is going to play center.</p>

<p>Wagner: Who else besides Sudderth had off season surgery and will miss spring ball?</p>

<p>Johnson: Wimsatt is out with a shoulder injury and Meek is out with a knee.</p>

<p>Wagner: Is Thrasher back in the program?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yes. He never left the program; he just didn't play last year.</p>

<p>Wagner: Has there been any notable guys quit?</p>

<p>Johnson: Not really.</p>

<p>Wagner: How about any non-notable guys?</p>

<p>Strasemeier: If they aren't notable, you aren't going to know them.</p>

<p>Johnson: Nobody quit that you will ever notice.</p>

<p>Wagner: Is the quarterback competition open?</p>

<p>Johnson: Every position is open.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: How soon will Josh Meek be back?</p>

<p>Johnson: He won't have contact all spring. He will just do drills. McGinn should be back.</p>

<p>Snyder: How about Ballard?</p>

<p>Johnson: He should be OK. He's been going through morning workouts.</p>

<p>Wagner: Is Goss back at quarterback?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yes</p>

<p>Wagner: Am I missing anybody Scott? Was there another quarterback that switched positions?</p>

<p>Johnson: Speciale switched from quarterback to left field.</p>

<p>Wagner: Does that move Severna Park High School graduate Greg Zingler up the depth chart?</p>

<p>Johnson: He was ahead of him anyway.</p>

<p>Wagner: In your opinion what does Jarod Bryant have to do to close the gap on Kaipo?</p>

<p>Johnson: Play better. He needs to be better in the option game and he knows that. We've talked about it at length.</p>

<p>Wagner: Did you feel like Kaipo needed to work on his throwing mechanics during the off-season? Has that been a focus? Did you have anybody that spent time with him or do you think he throws just fine?</p>

<p>Johnson: Have you seen him throw?</p>

<p>Wagner: That's why I'm asking the question.</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, he's worked on it but there's not a whole lot we can do until spring practice starts. He actually threw the ball better during the last part of the season. He threw some touchdown passes and gave our guys a chance to catch the ball.</p>

<p>Snyder: What are you looking for during spring practice out of the young guys that now have to step in and play?</p>

<p>Johnson: The thing about spring ball is that everybody gets to start new. I'm looking for guys in the spring that want to compete, guys that will turn it loose and play hard. By the end of spring ball I will have a pretty good idea who we can count on. That's all you can hope to accomplish out of spring ball.</p>

<p>Snyder: That and hope everybody stays healthy.</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: In all of your years of coaching have you ever lost so many guys on one side of the ball like you are losing on defense this year?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, two years ago on offense. We had seven or eight starters that we had to replace. I think two years ago we had 16 new starters. </p>

<p>Lambrecht: Does that heighten the importance of spring ball?</p>

<p>Johnson: You have a lot of young guys that are going to be challenging and it gives you a chance to watch the young guys and see who steps up and who you can count on. Coming out of morning workouts there are a couple of young guys that I was really counting on that I'm disappointed in. I don't know if they can play for us. I don't know if they are tough enough. They give up awfully easy.</p>

<p>Wagner: So are you saying that guys aren't performing in these off-season workouts that Coach Brass runs?</p>

<p>Johnson: We are all running these off-season workouts at 5:45 a.m. and let me extend an invitation to all of you right now to come out and join us tomorrow. </p>

<p>Wagner: So these are guys that didn't go to all the workouts?</p>

<p>Johnson: No, they all show up.</p>

<p>Wagner: So over the course of the workout they quit?</p>

<p>Johnson: They drop out. That would be correct.</p>

<p>Wagner: So if you see too much of that in the spring they will drop out permanently won't they?</p>

<p>Johnson: They have already dropped to the bottom of the depth chart.</p>

<p>Wagner: This is the first time the plebes have had to go through this.</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, this is their first time. Some of them think their hurt. Nobody just quits, they think their hurt. Their vision of being hurt and my vision of being hurt are not the same.</p>

<p>Socci: Have you had to make changes in what you do since what happened at Northwestern several years ago when they had a kid collapse and die?</p>

<p>Johnson: We have trainers at every station. They pass physicals. That's all you can do. You just pray that nothing like that happens. Usually when something like that happens they have a pre-existing condition.</p>

<p>Wagner: Who do you see competing for some of the spots that have been vacated by guys that have played a lot the last three or four years? Guys like Mahoney, Tidwell and Chan.</p>

<p>Johnson: The outside linebacker spot is wide open. Matt Wimsatt had played some, but he's going to miss spring ball. There will be a lot of young guys fighting for playing time. We moved Craig Schaefer out there from inside linebacker, Matt Humiston has been a special teams player for us who has a chance to play for us some his senior year, Dell Robinson moved from safety to outside linebacker and he may have a chance, Jordan Eddington is a freshman that has a chance. It's hard to single anybody out. It could be anybody. We may move some more guys. If I don't see what I like I will move some more guys out there.</p>

<p>Wagner: So as of right now at outside linebacker, who are you're most experienced players? Wimsatt we know about.</p>

<p>Johnson: Wimsatt and Humiston. That's it?</p>

<p>Strasemeier: Tidwell and Mahoney played 99 percent of the snaps.</p>

<p>Wagner: How about at defensive end?</p>

<p>Johnson: There could be a host of guys that play inside. We will probably give the older guys the nod when we start out. Casey Hebert and Kuhar-Pitters are two seniors that have a chance. We moved Will Scarle from outside linebacker, Mike Walsh, Derik Rothchild. What we will do with the defensive line is we will play the three best defensive linemen. Nate Frazier could be a defensive end instead of a nose. It just depends. </p>

<p>Lambrecht: Right now though you see Nate as being the anchor inside?</p>

<p>Johnson: Right now he's the nose tackle, but he hasn't played either. That's wide open too. I'm not saying, "Oh God, we've got Nate."</p>

<p>Wagner: What about Andy Lark? Do you like him?</p>

<p>Johnson: I like him.</p>

<p>Wagner: Has he recovered from his injury in the fall?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah. Right now he's too big. He's struggling a little bit.</p>

<p>Wagner: Was he able to get through the workouts?</p>

<p>Johnson: I'm not going to single anybody out.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: Do you feel like you are pretty solid at inside linebacker with Irv Spencer and Clint Sovie?</p>

<p>Johnson: They both played a lot last year. Tony Haberer is a freshman that I think has some ability, Jon Alvarado is going to be a senior and he's played a little bit, Ross Pospicil is going to compete for time. I think our young guys are athletic. Clint Sovie may be an outside linebacker. We are going to play the four best guys out there so we will see how that shakes out. </p>

<p>Wagner: In the secondary you have to replace Little, McGown and Miles. I guess on paper Thrasher is the most experienced guy.</p>

<p>Johnson: Rashawn King is. Buffin, Jeff Deliz played nickel last year.</p>

<p>Wagner: What about corner?</p>

<p>Johnson: Rashawn King, Thrasher, Blake Carter, Jesse Iwuji, Jordan Reagan, we moved Ram Vela over there from slot to see what he can do. We are going to play the four best guys in the secondary.</p>

<p>Wagner: Corey Johnson?</p>

<p>Johnson: Corey Johnson has a chance.</p>

<p>Masisak: What has Corey Johnson shown you?</p>

<p>Johnson: We haven't seen anything yet except morning workouts. He moves around pretty good. I think he's a tough kid just by the little bit I saw him play basketball and what I've seen in the workouts, but what we do in the morning workouts is really conducive to being in basketball shape so he's had an advantage. It's a lot of quick start and stop agility drills. We won't know a whole lot about Corey until we get the pads on. I don't expect him to shy away. He doesn't seem to have that personality to me. I think he's a pretty aggressive kid. Now, does he have the skills after not playing for football for three years? We will have to see.</p>

<p>Masisak: Have you seen game tape on him from high school?</p>

<p>Johnson: Not in the last 3-4 years. I might have seen some when he was in high school.</p>

<p>Masisak: Did you recruit him at all?</p>

<p>Johnson: No.</p>

<p>Wagner: Can you reiterate again on why you moved Antron to center? Obviously the guy has been a pretty decent guard.</p>

<p>Johnson: We are trying to get the five best guys on the field and I think he's a natural center. He would have been really good had he been playing there all along, but the way it worked out we had James in there and we needed him at guard but I think he's a natural at center and he's going to be pretty good.</p>

<p>Wagner: Does it help matters to have guys like Gaskins and Gabbard at guard that have some experience?</p>

<p>Johnson: Maybe. We have some young guys on the offensive line that I want to get a good look at this spring that I think may have a chance to be pretty good at guard.</p>

<p>Wagner: So the fact that Gaskins and Gabbard saw time last year at guard doesn't mean anything?</p>

<p>Johnson: Sure it helps, but unless you are a returning starter you have to win the job. They will start out as the starters, but that doesn't mean they will end up there.</p>

<p>Wagner: So who else will challenge Gaskins and Gabbard at guard? Probably young kids that we aren't familiar with.</p>

<p>Johnson: Chad Peterson, Curtis Bass, Osei Asante, I hesitate to start naming names because I will leave somebody out. Dave Brown. We have a lot of young kids. That's what spring is about, giving everybody a chance. The good thing about spring ball and the bad thing about spring ball is that everybody gets to play. Sometimes it's painful to watch, but everybody gets to play and we get a chance to see everybody play. You also have to remember who they are playing against. You might put a guy out there and he looks like a million bucks because he's playing against somebody that you know isn't very good and when you put him with the first team he gets killed so you have to balance all that.</p>

<p>Wagner: What other tackles will get a lot of work?</p>

<p>Johnson: Paul Bridgers, Ricky Moore, Richard Marshall.</p>

<p>Wagner: Is Moore a converted defensive lineman?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, but he's been on offense for a year now. Michael Von Bargen is another guy.</p>

<p>Snyder: There has been some juggling of the schedule; can you give us your thoughts on the schedule? You start off at Temple and then you have a real tough game at Rutgers.</p>

<p>Johnson: Every game at the Naval Academy is a tough game. The schedule is what it is. It's a challenging schedule. It's as tough as we've had here in awhile. It's hard to gauge this early because you don't know what's going to happen. Some team you don't expect may come out of the chute and win their first nine games and another team that you think might be good doesn't win any games.</p>

<p>Snyder: Nobody had Wake Forest and Rutgers on their radar at this point last year.</p>

<p>Johnson: Yep. I do know that they are going to be good. They have a bunch of people back.</p>

<p>Snyder: Has the Poinsettia Bowl deal been finalized?</p>

<p>Strasemeier: Yes, if we win six games we go.</p>

<p>Johnson: That's a big if.</p>

<p>Masisak: With all the uncertainty at other positions do you feel good about quarterback, slot back and fullback and the depth you have returning there?</p>

<p>Johnson: I think we have good depth, especially at slot back. Those guys have played, but they have to play better. What happens when you have so many new guys is that the guys that are returning have to up their game. They have to play better to give the younger guys a chance to gain a little experience. There is going to be some good competition. I don't think Eric Kettani is willing to just give the starting fullback job to Adam Ballard.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: He says he has better hips.</p>

<p>Johnson: Eric is faster and stronger than Adam.</p>

<p>Wagner: How did Adam look during off-season conditioning?</p>

<p>Johnson: He just got back from the injury. He's pushing through it. He's fighting through it. Adam is a tough kid.</p>

<p>Wagner: He will be full-go during the spring?</p>

<p>Johnson: He will be out there. I don't know if he will be 100 percent. I've never questioned Adam's courage. He's a tough kid.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: How about Tyree Barnes?</p>

<p>Johnson: He's going to miss spring practice. We are going to try and get him back for the fall and get him back right. He was never right last year.</p>

<p>Wagner: Is it the lingering leg issue?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yep.</p>

<p>Wagner: Any young receivers impress you? Henderson is a good-looking player.</p>

<p>Johnson: We'll see. OJ Washington started every game last year. Curtis Sharp played some, Tyree played some last year. We will see out of the young guys who will step up.</p>

<p>Masisak: I know it's been a great thing about your program in being able to keep all of your assistant coaches around, but is there a point where you feel almost disrespected that other programs haven't come after some of your assistants?</p>

<p>Johnson: No. I'm sure some of these guys have had other opportunities. I would like to think that it's a situation where it's a pretty good working environment, we have pretty good kids, they aren't starving and we have pretty good hours. It's not a bad gig. I don't think any of our coaches are on the phone 24-7 trying to get another job.</p>

<p>Socci: Have any college teams contacted you about coming in to learn the option?</p>

<p>Johnson: We've had a few. Bucknell is here today.</p>

<p>Socci: Did you guys visit anybody?</p>

<p>Johnson: We went to West Virginia the first of this week. I went with the offensive coaches up there and the defensive coaches went to New England and visited with Coach Belichick. They did that last year. This is the first time we've visited anywhere on offense. We went to just look around and see how they did things.</p>

<p>Masisak: Should we expect you to line up in the shotgun in the first game?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, we are going to dump our offense.</p>

<p>Wagner: I hesitate to ask this because I know what the answer is going to be, but is there any particular area that is a concern?</p>

<p>Everybody: All of them.</p>

<p>Johnson: You know what the answer is.</p>

<p>Wagner: Wouldn't it be fair to say that outside linebacker is one of them? You had two studs there and now you have question marks for the most part.</p>

<p>Johnson: I don't know if I would call those kids question marks. They don't have any experience. You know, we don't have an All-American coming back at any position. </p>

<p>Wagner: Talk about Reggie a little bit. He's had a great career so far; do you think he could have a big senior season?</p>

<p>Johnson: I hope so. Reggie is one of our most consistent players and he is one of our most explosive guys. The one thing I'm looking forward to is seeing Reggie return some punts. I think he could be dynamite returning punts.</p>

<p>Wagner: I've been telling you that. The one time you put him back there he returned it 25 yards.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: Paul, was there a lot of internal discussion about putting Reggie back there more last year?</p>

<p>Johnson: I thought about it, but Tomlinson was so consistent catching the ball and making good decisions that I didn't want to rock the boat. We usually don't have that many punt returns in a year anyway, so I just wanted to be safe. I felt like Jason was the safer choice. There is no question that if Reggie gets consistent catching the punts he will be a difference
maker back there. </p>

<p>Wagner: Returning punts is a lot different than returning kickoffs isn't it?</p>

<p>Johnson: It's a whole different skill set catching the ball. The return is different too. On a punt more guys are spread out and you can hold guys up so it creates a natural seam. A really good punt returner only has to make one guy miss. </p>

<p>Swezey: Have the guys been talking about the BC game or has it motivated them at all? Have you heard any of that?</p>

<p>Johnson: I haven't heard it mentioned. They could be talking about it, but I haven't heard it. Hardly any of these guys played in that game.</p>

<p>Snyder: How important is spring ball in establishing team chemistry, especially when you have so many new guys?</p>

<p>Johnson: The big thing this spring is we have to teach them how to play and what effort is. Our defensive coaches will do a good job. They will know what is expected out of them as far as effort and intensity. You just have to go out there and play. You learn to play by playing. Nobody is going to be perfect, but they have to play with the kind of effort that if one guy isn't perfect than somebody can cover for him because they are playing with extra effort. I feel like athletically we are as good or better than we've ever been. Now, the mental part of it we will see. The mental part is a big part of it. Last year's senior class was bound and determined that they were going to be successful and that they were going to win. We have another small senior class this year, as far as the number that will be playing, which is very similar to two years ago. It's almost identical to two years ago. Two years ago we had to replace the entire offense and this year we are replacing most of the defense.</p>

<p>Wagner: Will team captains be voted on at the end of spring practice?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yes. There aren't a whole lot of them eligible to be voted on, because of Academy rules, they have to be a senior and have lettered, and it really limits the scope. This is going to be a really young football team.</p>

<p>Wagner: You had Karlos two years ago and he leaves and last year Shun steps up and has a great year. You've had some luck finding some young slot backs with talent.</p>

<p>Johnson: I would like to think its guys working hard recruiting instead of luck. </p>

<p>Wagner: Do you have anybody like Shun that could emerge next year?</p>

<p>Johnson: I think we have guys that are better athletes. Our younger guys are better athletically. Now, will they be better football players and play as a team? That's why you play the game.</p>

<p>Wagner: How about Jon Forbes?</p>

<p>Johnson: He's back. He's one of the fastest guys on the team. Ram Vela, who I moved from slot back to defensive back, runs a 4.6. He can run. We haven't had an abundance of that kind of speed here.</p>

<p>Wagner: Remind us, what did Forbes do last year?</p>

<p>Johnson: Knee injury.</p>

<p>Wagner: Did you time anybody under 4.6?</p>

<p>Johnson: Oh yeah.</p>

<p>Wagner: Who?</p>

<p>Johnson: I could tell you, but I would have to kill you.</p>

<p>Swezey: Please tell him.</p>

<p>Socci: How many guys run under 4.6?</p>

<p>Johnson: Three. We have a few. It depends on where you time them. If you time them in the magic gym (Halsey) we have a bunch. It also depends on who is on the watch. I tend to time guys faster. All those guys want me to time them because I time them a couple of tenths faster than the other guys.</p>

<p>Strasemeier: Is Coach Brass slow timing them?</p>

<p>Johnson: We don't even let Brass touch a stopwatch. His reaction time is slow. We have some kids that can run a little bit. Now, do we run like Maryland? No. But for us we have some kids that can run a little bit. I'll tell you who can run is Eric Kettani. He's a physical specimen. He benches 400 pounds, runs a sub 4.6, he weighs 231 pounds, and he's a specimen. Now, can he translate it to the field? We'll see. There is going to be good competition at fullback. There is going to be good competition at every position you just don't know where it's going to come from because we have so many young guys. Sometimes guys that are on the scout team and don't really show anything play at a different level when they see they have a chance to play.</p>

<p>Socci: How about the learning curve for the guys that played on the scout team?</p>

<p>Johnson: There will be some but we are going to go back to basics. We are going to try and really get back to basics 101. A lot of them played on the JV team and some of them went to the prep school so they should know what's going on. That's our job to make sure they know what's going on.</p>

<p>Lambrecht: Do you think that Kaipo will elevate his game?</p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, he needs to if he wants to be the starter. The thing that everybody forgets is that Jarod, Kaipo and Troy were all very close. When Brian went down we had to make a decision that gave us the best chance to win at that time. I don't know why they aren't going to be close again. Kaipo is going to have to elevate his game to hold the other two off if they elevate their game. If he elevates his game and the other two stay the same then he is really going to distance himself. He has way more experience than the other two, so that should help from a confidence standpoint. If you are asking me if that's a position I'm worried about, I'm worried about all of them, but I worry less about quarterback than some of the others because we do have guys there that we've played with.</p>

<p>Snyder: This is the first time in a while that you've had a quarterback returning that has had experience.</p>

<p>Johnson: In the past we've had a new quarterback every year, which doesn't
bother me either.</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Thursday, March 22, 2007
Contact: Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Navy Rowing Teams to Open Spring Seasons Saturday</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The spring racing season for the Navy crew programs opens up this weekend with each of the three teams taking part in races Saturday throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.</p>

<p>Navy's heavyweight team will begin its season by racing against Columbia and George Washington on Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J. The varsity race between the Mids and the Lions will be for the Maxwell Stevenson Trophy, a race Navy has won in each of the last five years. Navy posted a three-second victory over Columbia to win the trophy last season.</p>

<p>"I expect both Columbia and George Washington to be improved over last year," said Navy heavyweight head coach Rick Clothier. "We are coming off a spring break that was great for the first four days and not so good the final two days, in part because of training limitations due to the weather."</p>

<p>Navy's women's team will attempt to repeat its strong performance of a year ago when the program takes part in the Murphy Cup on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. The Mids won the varsity race, placed second in the second varsity and first novice races and third in the varsity four race during the 2006 regatta.</p>

<p>In addition to the Mids and regatta-host Temple, the list of other women's teams competing at the event includes Drexel, Villanova and Bucknell.</p>

<p>"It's the first week of the season, so there are a lot of unknowns for us and everyone else right now," said Navy women's head coach Mike Hughes. "We very much like the team we will be placing on the water and are excited to see how we measure up against the other schools at this very early point in the season. If we can put together two solid races Saturday, I feel we will have put ourselves in a position to be successful again at the event."</p>

<p>Saturday will mark the 25th edition of the Murphy Cup, which is named after John Murphy, a rower from Temple who lost his life in an automobile accident while a student-athlete at the school. Taking part in the regatta has a special meaning for Hughes as he was Murphy's high school rowing coach.</p>

<p>The Navy lightweight team will begin its spring season as it has for each of the last five years by facing Princeton. Navy's varsity boat will take a three-year winning streak over the Tigers into the race on Lake Carnegie.</p>

<p>"After Princeton won the Head of the Charles and seeing their depth at the Princeton Chase, they have to be one of the favorites going into the spring season," said Navy lightweight head coach Rob Friedrich. "With that said, I'm happy with our progress at this point of the year and believe all of our boats will put up some good races this Saturday.?</p>

<p>Coach opens competition</p>

<p>Published in the Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/03_22-18/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/03_22-18/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Navy head coach Paul Johnson has an interesting outlook on the college football ritual that is spring practice.</p>

<p>Spring is a time of renewal and Johnson said every position is wide open and every player is starting fresh. Navy's coaching staff will try to give all 108 players on the roster an honest look.</p>

<p>"The good thing and the bad thing about spring is that everyone gets to play," Johnson said. "It's painful to watch sometimes, but every player deserves a chance to show what they can do."...

[/quote]
</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Baseball Week 7 Media Notes</p>

<p>A Look Ahead…
Game 24 - March 23 - Yale (5-10) at Navy (15-8)
Site: Annapolis, Md.<br>
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Stadium: Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium (1,500)
Head Coaches: Yale - John Stuper (291-307, 15th year at Yale; 383-351, 20th year overall)
Navy - Paul Kostacopoulos (47-29-1, second year at Navy; 551-358-1, 18th year overall)
Probable Starters: Yale - RHP Steve Gilman (1-1, 5.06) or RHP Brian Irving (0-2, 7.00)
Navy - RHP Mark McCoy (3-3, 5.58) or RHP Mitch Harris (5-1, 1.69)
All-Time Series: Navy leads, 41-27
Last Meeting: Navy split two-game set with Yale (March 29, 1992; New Haven, Conn.)
Live Stats: GameTracker on <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Game 25 - March 24 - Yale at Navy<br>
Site: Annapolis, Md.<br>
Time: 1 p.m.
Probable Starters: Yale - RHP Brian Irving (0-2, 7.00) or RHP Steve Gilman (1-1, 5.06)
Navy - RHP Mitch Harris (5-1, 1.69) or RHP Mark McCoy (3-3, 5.58)
Live Stats: GameTracker on <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Game 26 - March 25 - Yale at Navy<br>
Site: Annapolis, Md.<br>
Time: 12 p.m.
Probable Starters: Yale - RHP Brandon Josselyn (0-1, 13.11)
Navy - RHP Matt White (4-1, 4.60) or RHP Oliver Drake (0-0, 3.00)
Live Stats: GameTracker on <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Game 27 - March 27 - Navy (15-8) at Mount St. Mary’s (7-10)<br>
Site: Emmitsburg, Md.<br>
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Stadium: Golibart Field (500)
Head Coaches: Mount St. Mary’s - Scott Thomson (154-267, 10th year overall)
Navy - Paul Kostacopoulos (47-29-1, second year at Navy; 551-358-1, 18th year overall)
Probable Starters: Navy - RHP Oliver Drake (0-0, 3.00) or RHP Matt White (4-1, 4.60)
Mount St. Mary’s - TBD
All-Time Series: Navy leads, 10-4
Last Meeting: Mount St. Mary’s 18, Navy 3 (March 14, 2007; Annapolis, Md.)</p>

<p>Scouting Yale</p>

<p>The Yale Bulldogs are swinging by Annapolis for a three-game set after spending their spring break down in Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida. Yale enters the weekend with 5-10 record, with 12 of those contests played since March 10.</p>

<p>Despite the sub-.500 record, the Bulldogs are hitting .321 as a team and have scored 7.47 runs per game to start the year. Leading the way is sophomore outfielder Ryan Lavarnway, who comes into the weekend with a .450 (27-for-60) batting average with eight doubles, five home runs and 25 RBIs. Senior first baseman Marc Sawyer provides another offensive threat for opposing pitchers, hitting .404 (23-for-57) with seven doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.</p>

<p>However, Yale’s pitching staff has been victimized at the tune of a 9.31 earned run average in 2007. The first-two projected starters for the Bulldogs, right-handers Steve Gilman and Brian Irving, have each started three games this year and rank first and second in innings pitched this season.</p>

<p>Last Meeting Against the Bulldogs</p>

<p>The Midshipmen and the Bulldogs will meet on the baseball diamond for the first time this weekend since both squads were members of the EIBL (Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League) in 1992. Navy won the first game of the doubleheader on March 29, 3-1, as Robert Sorenson fired a complete-game two-hitter for the Mids. Yale bounced back to win the nightcap, 7-2, helped by four fielding miscues by the visiting Mids.</p>

<p>Navy All-Time Against the Ivy League</p>

<p>Navy, Army and the Ivy League used to comprise the EIBL (Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League) before the Mids and Black Knights moved to the Patriot League in 1993. As a result, Navy has an extensive history against teams currently affiliated with the Ivy League.</p>

<p>During Navy’s 112-year program history, it owns a 354-248-10 (.587) record against Ivy League members. The Midshipmen have a winning all-time record against seven of the eight schools (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn, Princeton and Yale), with Harvard being the lone team to hold an advantage over the Midshipmen.</p>

<p>Scouting Mount St. Mary’s</p>

<p>Tuesday’s contest will mark the second meeting between Navy and Mount St. Mary’s during the 2007 slate. The Mount enters the weekend with a 7-10 record after Georgetown snapped their four-game winning streak on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Ryan Murray leads an offensive attack that is hitting .283 collectively and plating more than 6.5 runs per contest. Murray heads into the weekend with a .440 (22-for-50) batting average with 17 runs scored, four home runs and eight RBIs.</p>

<p>Dustin Pease has served as the key starting pitcher for the Mount this season, posting a 2-2 mark and a 5.15 ERA in nine outings, five of which are starts. In 36.2 innings on the hill, he has walked only seven and struck out 29 batters.</p>

<p>Last Time Against the Mountaineers</p>

<p>Mount St. Mary’s won the first meeting between the two teams in Annapolis on March 14 by a score of 18-3. The Mount pounded out 16 hits and drew nine walks off the Midshipmen pitching corps. Navy freshman Michael Speciale (Pearland, Texas) went 3-for-3 with a walk, while junior Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) posted a 2-for-4 effort at the plate and scored once. Navy freshman starter Yale Eckert (La Selva Beach, Calif.) yielded five hits and four earned runs in four innings during his first-collegiate start.</p>

<p>Navy All-Time Against the Northeast Conference</p>

<p>The Midshipmen own an all-time mark of 20-16 (.556) against teams affiliated with the Northeast Conference. Navy has played Central Connecticut State (3-3), Fairleigh Dickinson (0-1), Monmouth (7-7), Mount St. Mary’s (10-4) and Wagner (0-1) during its 112-year program history. The Midshipmen have not met Long Island, Quinnipiac or Sacred Heart on the baseball diamond.</p>

<p>Navy Reaches 1,600 All-Time Wins</p>

<p>Navy registered its 1,600th victory during its 112-year program history with a 2-1 win over Monmouth on March 11 in Annapolis. The Midshipmen entered the 2007 campaign as the 48th-winningest team in the nation, having won 60-percent of their all-time contests.</p>

<p>Kosty Gets Career Win No. 550</p>

<p>Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos picked up his 550th career victory with a 9-7 victory over Buffalo on March 15 in Annapolis. The 18-year veteran head coach reached the 550-win mark after spending his first-seven years at Providence in 1990-96, and nine seasons at Maine from 1997-05, before taking over the reigns of the Midshipmen baseball program in 2006.</p>

<p>Second-Youngest Team in Patriot League</p>

<p>The 2007 Navy baseball team ranks as the second-youngest team in the Patriot League this season, highlighted by its 16 freshmen and only five seniors. Only Lehigh, last year’s league champion, welcomes more new faces this year, as nearly half (17-of-35) of its team is comprised of freshmen.</p>

<p>Freshmen Making Immediate Impact</p>

<p>Navy has relied heavily upon its freshman class during its successful start to the 2007 season. The Midshipmen have started no fewer than two freshmen in all-23 games this season. On four occasions, the Mids have slotted six freshmen in the starting lineup, going 3-1 in those contests. Navy has started six freshmen during three of the last-seven contests.</p>

<p>Patriot League Rookie of the Week Award: Five-for-Five</p>

<p>Navy has won the Patriot League Rookie of the Week Award for five-consecutive weeks to open the year. Steven Soares (Parkland, Fla.) is the first Navy player to earn rookie-of-the-week honors twice, while Jonathan Berkowitz (Parkland, Fla.), Oliver Drake (Gardner, Mass.) and Michael Speciale (Pearland, Texas) have each won the award once.</p>

<p>The 2007 Midshipmen become the first team in Patriot League history to win one award for five-straight weeks, topping Navy’s four-consecutive pitcher-of-the-week accolades during the 1999 season.</p>

<p>The five Patriot League Rookie of the Week Awards this season ties the 2005 Army squad for the second-most in league history. The Black Knights brought home the weekly honors six times during the 2004 campaign.</p>

<p>Harris Ranking Among Four Career Strikeout Categories</p>

<p>Junior right-handed pitcher Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) ranks among Navy’s top-five pitchers in career strikeouts, career strikeouts per nine innings and career strikeouts before his senior year, as well as seventh in Patriot League career strikeouts. Harris ranks fifth on the career strikeouts list with 185, which is also the second-highest total in school history before his senior campaign. His 12.30 strikeouts per nine innings ranks first all-time, more than two strikeouts per game better than the second-best mark.</p>

<p>Hollins Moving Up Stolen Base List</p>

<p>Junior center fielder Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) ranks fifth on the career stolen bases list with 41 during his first two-plus season. His career total is only one shy of tying Pete Curnow (2002-04) on the career stolen bases list with 42 swipes.</p>

<p>Home Sweet Home</p>

<p>The Midshipmen are slated to play 31 home games at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium in Annapolis, which would break the record of 28 home contests set last year. Of the 31 home games, 19 are scheduled before April 1.</p>

<p>15 Non-League Wins</p>

<p>The Navy baseball team has won 15 non-Patriot League games prior to the start of league action this season. The 15 non-league wins ranks as the fifth-highest total in school history, while the 15 victories before league play ranks second behind Navy’s 19 wins before the start of the league slate last year.</p>

<p>Kosty Likes Them Close</p>

<p>Since taking over the reigns of the Navy baseball program last season, head coach Paul Kostacopoulos has been quite successful in one-run affairs, posting a record of 16-5 (.762). The Midshipmen are off to a 5-1 start in one-run games in 2007 after going 11-4 last season.</p>

<p>Field Dedication Set for April 28 vs. Bucknell</p>

<p>Prior to the start of Navy’s April 28 doubleheader against Bucknell at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium in Annapolis, the field will officially be dedicated to the Terwilliger Brothers for their generous contributions to the Navy baseball program.</p>

<p>Ron Terwilliger was a three-year starter at second base from 1961-63 and hit .383 during his junior year in Annapolis. After graduating with honors, he served in the Navy before getting his MBA with High Distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Business. In 1986, he became the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trammell Crow Residential, a national real estate company that is the largest developer of multi-family housing in the United States. </p>

<p>Bruce Terwilliger was a star pitcher on the mound for the Midshipmen during his three years with the varsity baseball team from 1962-64. As a sophomore in 1962, he went 8-0 with a miniscule 2.29 ERA in 59.0 innings. He currently is only one of five pitchers in school history to post an undefeated record with five-plus decisions in a year. After he was commissioned into the United States Navy in 1964, he served and achieved the rank of Commander (O-5) prior to his retirement.</p>

<p>With the generous support of the Terwilliger brothers, Navy’s home field went under massive renovations in the fall of 2005, highlighted by the installation of FieldTurf, 1,500 chair-back seats and a state-of-the-art hitting facility with several other amenities. As a result, Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium has become of the premier facilities in the East to play and watch a baseball game.</p>

<p>Posted on GoMids.com:</p>

<p><a href="http://navy.scout.com/2/629117.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://navy.scout.com/2/629117.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
I?m not sure when or where the tradition began to hold spring practices for college football teams, but one thing is for sure, whoever came up with the idea most not have liked lacrosse or baseball too much ? or basketball for that matter. Maybe it?s just me and I will be the first person to admit that I have a problem, but when I saw a transcript of a Paul Johnson . . .

[/quote]
</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Friday, March 23, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Navy Tennis Team Spends Recent Afternoon at MaliVai Washington Foundation</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- While in Florida last week for a pair of matches over spring break, the Navy tennis team spent an afternoon speaking to and working with youths from the Jacksonville area at the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation.</p>

<p>Washington, the former No. 1 ranked collegiate player at Michigan, touring professional and 1996 Wimbledon finalist, started the foundation as a grant-making organization in 1994 and began offering program services in the greater Jacksonville area three years later. The foundation's mission is "to use tennis as a tool to develop positive life skills and encourage academic achievement in youth who otherwise might not be exposed to the sport." Foundation programs have touched the lives of more than 14,000 Jacksonville youth since its inception. Services range from a comprehensive Tennis and Tutoring (TnT) after-school program to partner programs with other local youth-serving agencies to introductory clinics for the general public.</p>

<p>(For more information on the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, please visit -- <a href="http://www.malwashington.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.malwashington.com&lt;/a&gt;)&lt;/p>

<p>"We like to expose our kids to many different types of people and opportunities," said Washington. "The Naval Academy and the Navy is not something many of them have knowledge of. They are a group of young men who are not just athletes."</p>

<p>"Our days were filled with practice, fitness, and other team events, however, we were very excited to take a few hours out of our day to work with Mal's students," said Navy senior Stanley Kahl (Richland, Pa.).</p>

<p>The afternoon began inside with several Mids discussing life at the Naval Academy and answering questions from nearly 100 kids. </p>

<p>"I felt the question and answer session was the most entertaining aspect of the day, personally," said Kahl. "The kids were very anxious to hear about our daily lives, which is probably why it lasted over a half an hour! I got the chance to answer many questions regarding the Naval Academy and the opportunities we have after graduation." </p>

<p>"One of the most interesting aspects of their talk was when they discussed the discipline policy and punishment system they have and how it affects their everyday life," said Washington. "We have a pretty tough disciplined policy here, and for good reason. By hearing about 19, 20 and 21 year olds adhering to a policy, it helps the kids understand it is not just us. Discipline and how you conduct yourself is something they will have for their entire life.</p>

<p>"I also like the fact that the players on team are career oriented. They all had a sense of purpose and a sense of where they wanted to go, not just at the Naval Academy but for some of them afterwards. It is good to hear them relay their goals to the kids."</p>

<p>Afterwards, the players and a smaller group of kids moved outside for a tennis clinic and a series of games where the kids tried to beat the Mids. </p>

<p>"I can tell you that our kids LOVE playing with the Navy guys," said Terri Florio, executive director of the foundation. "The kids always enjoy the visit and are pushed to excel by the guys. They especially enjoy the drill where the Navy team members have to do push-ups when either they make an error or a kid hits a winner."</p>

<p>"The best part of the day was the beat the pro portion when we had to do push-ups for the kids if we lost," said Navy team captain Adrian Lai (Sr., Tucson, Ariz.).</p>

<p>While the foundation as a whole enjoyed the visit by the Mids, the players themselves also left with great feelings about what they had accomplished. Participating in community service events is not something new for the team. They make a stop at the foundation a regular part of their trips to Florida, and this past fall they played host to a number of kids from the Annapolis Boys and Girls Club.</p>

<p>"As a student-athlete at the Naval Academy I feel it is very important to have opportunities like these in order to get America's youth headed in the right direction and to understand the values of duty and loyalty to their country," said Kahl. "It was a very rewarding feeling to give back to the community and to work with today's emerging young men and women. I sincerely hope that the Navy tennis team can continue this annual event because of the feeling giving back to the community has."</p>

<p>"I think it is extremely important for athletes to give back to their community and their sport and it is something we should be doing more often," said Lai.</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Friday, March 23, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Midshipmen Travel to USAG Collegiate Championship</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy gymnastics team will begin its postseason action this weekend when it heads to the USAG Collegiate Championship at William & Mary's Kaplan Arena on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen finished the 2007 regular season with a 9-11 record following a third-place showing at Temple's tri-meet with Army. Navy scored 193.2 points, while host Temple tallied 206.15 points and Army collected 199.6 points.</p>

<p>This weekend's trip will be Navy's second visit to Kaplan Arena in 2007, as it took on William & Mary and Penn State in a tri-meet on March 3. The Midshipmen finished third on that afternoon with 191.7 points, highlighted by a 34.95-point performance in the floor exercise.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen will travel to this weekend's championship with six USAG Collegiate All-Americans returning from last year's second-place showing in Ithaca, N.Y.</p>

<p>Highlighting the cast of returning gymnasts is junior Christopher Tam (Draper, Utah), who is twice a collegiate division All-American in the all-around and picked up collegiate All-American honors on the floor exercise and parallel bars last season. This year, Tam enters the meet ranked as the 14th-highest scoring gymnast nationally in the all-around and ranks 19th on the high bar in the country. Last weekend at Temple, he tied for first on the high bar with an 8.85 and finished the day with a 49.3-point performance in the all-around.</p>

<p>Classmate Brandon Cook (Longmont, Colo.) had an impressive showing at last year's championship, winning the floor exercise and placing third on the vault to earn USAG Collegiate All-America status in both events. Once again this year, Cook has been Navy's most consistent scorer in both disciplines, posting an 8.5 or higher during each meet in the floor exercise and better than an 8.0 on the vault in all of his tries. He has also become stronger in the high bar event this season, emerging with a par of 8.2-pointe performances on the year.</p>

<p>Accounting for Navy's other event title at last year's USAG Collegiate Championship was sophomore Adam Stanton (Centennial, Colo.), who topped the field on the pommel horse. Stanton enters the championship following a season-best 8.75-point showing against Temple and Army last weekend. </p>

<p>Looking to capture collegiate All-America honors for the second-straight year in two events will be sophomore Joseph Atzenbeck (Broomfield, Colo.). Atzenbeck placed third on the pommel horse and fifth on the parallel bars one year ago in Ithaca, N.Y. He has served the Midshipmen well in three events going into this weekend, as he has been a solid scoring factor on the high bar. The Navy sophomore has earned an 8.0 or higher from the judges more than four times in each of the three disciplines this year.</p>

<p>Senior team captain Sean Blackman (Fayetteville, Ga.) continues to work his way back after missing the first-half of the season and is aiming for his third-straight collegiate All-America honors on the still rings. He finished second at last year's championship and has bounced back with three scores above an 8.0 in four meets this season.</p>

<p>Rounding out the contingent of returning USAG Collegiate All-American gymnasts for Navy is junior Isaac Olson (Spokane, Wash.), who placed second on the high bar at last season's championship. Like Blackman, Olson has been working his way back after missing several meets during the year. However, the Navy junior appears ready to make another run at the title this year, as he scored an 8.5 against Temple and Army last week.</p>

<p>Following this weekend's action, the Midshipmen will head up to Philadelphia to compete at the ECAC/EIGL Championship on March 31-April 1. Last season, Navy scored 203.775 points to finish second in the conference championship hosted in Macdonough Hall.</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Friday, March 23, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Opens Outdoor Season with Six-Team Meet in Annapolis</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy women's track & field team will open its 2007 outdoor season this weekend when it hosts American, Colgate, Delaware, George Mason and Maryland on Saturday in Annapolis. The competition will begin with the hammer throw at 12 noon at Hospital Point, with the action returning to Ingram Field for a 1:30 p.m. start.</p>

<p>This Saturday's home meet at Ingram Field will be the first of two for the Midshipmen this season, as they will also host the Black Knights of Army in the annual Star Meet on April 14.</p>

<p>Three of the five teams that are making the trip to Annapolis on Saturday competed in Navy?s lone home outdoor meet last season. The Mids won that meet with 258 team points, while Maryland tallied 93 points, Colgate accumulated 46 points and American racked up 29 points. </p>

<p>Navy was picked second in the Patriot League Preseason poll released last week, after finishing second at last year's outdoor championship and returns four all-league members this season. Last year's most outstanding field performer of the meet Danielle Still (Lawnside, N.J.) returns after setting Patriot League Championship records in the javelin throw and the heptathlon. Kirsten Andrews (New Holland, Pa.) earned first-team honors in the 100-meter hurdles and second-team all-league accolades in the long jump. Jacquelyn Charnigo (Medina, Ohio) made it to the second team in both the high jump and pole vault. Justine Whipple (Duxbury, Mass.) rounds out Navy's returning all-league members, as she brought home First-Team All-Patriot League recognition in the 10,000-meter run last spring.</p>

<p>Navy is coming off its second-consecutive undefeated indoor season, finishing the year with a 7-0 mark and a dominating, 107-73, win at Army to capture the N-Star. The Mids concluded their indoor campaign at the ECAC Championship earlier in the month, as four members competed in the meet. Andrews saw action in three different events (pole vault, long jump, 60-meter hurdles), while Loni Forsythe (Chattanooga, Tenn.) set a school record in the 200-meter dash.</p>

<p>Following this weekend's action, the Midshipmen will head to the Service Academy Championship on Saturday, March 31, in Virginia. </p>

<p>SCHEDULE OF EVENTS</p>

<p>12:00 p.m. Hammer Throw (Hospital Point)
1:30 p.m. Shot Put
High Jump
Pole Vault
2:00 p.m. Long Jump
Triple Jump (follows long jump)
Javelin (follows men's discus, approx. 2:45 p.m.)
Discus (follows javelin, approx. 3:30 p.m.)
2:00 p.m. 3,000-meter Steeplechase
2:20 p.m. 4x100-meter Relay
2:25 p.m. 1,500-meter Run
2:40 p.m. 100-meter High Hurdles
2:50 p.m. 400-meter Dash
3:05 p.m. 100-meter Dash
3:15 p.m. 800-meter Run
3:30 p.m. 400-meter Intermediate Hurdles
3:40 p.m. 200-meter Dash
3:50 p.m. 5,000-meter Run
10,000-meter Run
4:35 p.m. 4x400-meter Relay</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Friday, March 23, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy to Host American and Maryland on Saturday</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy men’s track & field team will host its first home outdoor meet of the year on Saturday when it welcomes American and Maryland to Ingram Field in Annapolis. The action is slated to get underway with the hammer throw at Hospital Point at 10:30 p.m., followed by the field events at 11:15 a.m. and the track events at 12 noon.</p>

<p>This Saturday’s home meet will be the first of three for the Midshipmen this year. Navy will remain home next Saturday to take on Penn, Princeton and Rutgers in a quad-meet before Army comes to the Yard on Saturday, April 14, for the annual Star Meet.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen hosted American and Maryland, along with Maine, during the first of their two home outdoor meets during the 2006 season. Navy won the meet with a team score of 259 points, followed by Maine’s 154 points, Maryland’s 91 points and American’s 65 points.</p>

<p>Navy enters this weekend’s action following its first-place performance at the Point Loma Invitational in San Diego last Saturday. The Midshipmen won 10 of the 18 events to score 141 points, while host Point Loma Nazarene came in second with 133 points and Baker rounded out the field with 38 points. Navy spent the entire week prior to the meet during spring break in California to prepare and adjust for the outdoor season.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen went 1-2 in all four of the throwing events to round up 48 of its 141 first-place points last weekend.</p>

<p>Highlighting Navy’s first-place showing was junior thrower Bo Lawson’s (Fredon, N.J.) NCAA regional-qualifying mark in the javelin toss. Lawson uncorked a career-best throw of 202’3” (61.64 meters) to win the event and top his previous career long by nearly two feet.</p>

<p>Claiming first-place honors and qualifying for the IC4A Championship in two throwing events for the Midshipmen was junior Darryl Hunter (Des Moines, Iowa). Hunter won the shot put with a mark of 53’11” (16.43 meters) to open his day, then came back to out-distance the field with a throw of 156’7” (47.72 meters) in the discus.</p>

<p>One week after earning All-America status at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship in the 800-meter run, Navy junior Paul Harris (Woodbury, Minn.) earned Patriot League Track Athlete-of-the-Week honors for his first-place performance last weekend in the 800-meter run. Harris won the race by nearly nine full seconds with a time of 1:51.94.</p>

<p>Freshman Matthew Hanley (Rapid City, S.D.) performed well during his first-collegiate outdoor meet last weekend. He won the 110-meter high hurdles with a 15.42-second clocking and helped on the first-place 4x100-meter relay team that crossed the finish line in 44.55 seconds.</p>

<p>SCHEDULE OF EVENTS</p>

<p>10:30 a.m. Hammer Throw (Hospital Point)
11:15 a.m. Pole Vault
Long Jump
11:30 a.m. Javelin
Shot Put
High Jump (follows javelin)
Discus (follows shot put)
12:00 p.m. 3,000-meter Steeplechase
12:10 p.m. 4x100-meter Relay
12:20 p.m. 1,500-meter Run
12:30 p.m. 110-meter High Hurdles
12:40 p.m. 400-meter Dash
12:50 p.m. 100-meter Dash
1:00 p.m. 800-meter Run
1:10 p.m. 400-meter Intermediate Hurdles
1:20 p.m. 200-meter Dash
1:30 p.m. 5,000-meter Run
1:50 p.m. 4x400-meter Relay</p>

<p>For: Immediate Release
Date: Friday, March 23, 2007
Contact: Chris Forman - 410-293-8774</p>

<p>Navy Women's Lacrosse Continues Homestand on Saturday</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's lacrosse team continues its season-long homestand with a Saturday afternoon contest against Catonsville Community College, beginning at 1:00 pm at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Mids are 5-3 on the season, while Catonsville CC is 1-0. The game will be the second of a successive five-game stretch at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.</p>

<p>The Mids enter the contest with a 5-3 overall record, but are 5-1 against non-Division I competition. However, Navy lost its last non-Division I contest on Monday night against Anne Arundel Community College, 16-14. The Mids held a 5-1 cushion just 12 minutes into the game, but were outscored 15-9 the rest of the way to suffer the setback. Navy led the Pioneers 8-5 at halftime, but Anne Arundel CC scored the first seven goals of the second half to take control of the game. Amanda Towey led the Mids with seven points (5 g, 2 a), while Kaylene Klingenstein chipped in with four points (3 g, 1 a). Elise Chapdelaine (3 g) and Mary Ruttum (1 g, 2 a) tallied three points each in the loss. Natalie Blandon stopped 11 shots in the cage for the Midshipmen.</p>

<p>Overall, Towey has had a sensational season, scoring 46 points (35 g, 11 a) on the season. Two freshmen follow Towey, as Ruttum (38 points) and Erin Rawlick (29 points) have combined for 47 goals and 20 assists. Chapdelaine has 26 points (22 g, 4 a) and Klingenstein has 22 points (21 g, 1 a). Blandon has stopped 105 shots for a save percentage of .559.</p>

<p>Catonsville Community College is 1-0 following a 17-1 thumping of Harford Community College on Thursday. Stats were not made available of that contest.</p>

<p>The Mids will be off until next weekend when they host the Annapolis Navy shootout. Navy will host Villanova (1:00 pm) and Boston College (5:00 pm) on Saturday and Pittsburgh on Sunday (12:00 pm). All of Navy's games will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.</p>