Navy Sports

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
481

<p>For Immediate Release
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Opens League Slate with Doubleheader Sweep of Holy Cross</p>

<p>WORCESTER, Mass. – Navy freshman reliever JD Melton (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) tossed four innings of no-hit, shutout relief to earn two saves on Saturday afternoon as the Midshipmen opened the 2007 Patriot League season with a doubleheader sweep of Holy Cross at Fitton Field in Worcester, Mass. Navy won the opener, 7-6, before posting a 12-8 victory to improve to 20-9 on the year. Holy Cross fell to 2-11 on the season with the two setbacks.</p>

<p>“Today, we won both games by swinging the bat really well, something a little different than much of this season,” stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. “We hit the ball well, which was better to see. Holy Cross really battled in both games. I have to give them a lot of credit for never giving up. They really showed me a lot of character.”</p>

<p>Melton recorded his first save of the afternoon when he came in and retired the only batter he faced with the tying run on third and the winning run standing on first. The Navy freshman came back in the nightcap to provide 3.2 innings of hitless, shutout work with no walks and two strikeouts to earn his second save of the day. The product of Myrtle Beach, S.C., has not allowed a run to score over his last-15.1 innings of work. His six saves during his first season donning the Navy blue and gold break the school’s freshman record of four saves by Todd Bizba in 1985, and places him second on the single-season saves list behind Ryan Hefner’s 10 saves last year.</p>

<p>“JD was hands down, our best guy on the mound today,” said Kostacopoulos. “Not looking at the margins of victory, the second game was rougher than the first, as outs were really hard to come by. The game was a grind and he really gave us what we needed.”</p>

<p>In the opener, Navy jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on a Thomas Hamilton (Houston, Texas) RBI-single and a two-out error by the centerfielder. The Mids pushed the lead to 3-0 in the third, as Hamilton produced his second RBI-single of the contest with two outs.</p>

<p>The Crusaders knotted the score at three after four innings, but the Midshipmen immediately answered back with a run in the fifth and three in the sixth. For the third time in as many at bats, Hamilton drove in a run with a single in the fifth inning to re-take the lead. One inning later, junior Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) pounded a three-run shot over the left-field fence to extend the margin to four at 7-3.</p>

<p>Holy Cross cut Navy’s lead to 7-6 with a two-out rally during the last half of the seventh. The host Crusaders singled in a run, took advantage of a throwing error to load the bases and plated two on a slow roller up the middle. With the tying run standing 90 feet away, Melton was summoned into the game and induced a game-ending flyout to center.</p>

<p>Harris got the win on the mound, as he battled through 6.1 innings to improve his mark to 6-2 on the year. He allowed six hits and five runs, three of which were earned, with five walks and eight strikeouts. He has fanned more batters than innings pitched during each of his eight starts this year. The eight punch-outs upped his career total to 202, becoming the fifth pitcher in school history to reach the 200-strikeout mark and only the second pitcher to do so before his senior year.</p>

<p>In addition to his exploits on the mound, Harris helped his own cause with a 3-for-4 performance in the opener with three runs scored and three RBIs. Hamilton also went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Michael Garcia (Kailua, Hawai’i) scored three runs.</p>

<p>The nightcap of Saturday’s twinbill proved to be one of streaks, as the Midshipmen stormed out to an 11-0 after two and a half innings before the Crusaders plated eight unanswered runs over the next-four innings.</p>

<p>Navy pushed eight runs across in the top half of the second, sending 12 batters to the plate. The eight runs scored in an inning are the most this season and the highest output in an inning since a 10-run outburst against Holy Cross on April 1, 2006, in Annapolis. Steven Soares (Coral Springs, Fla.) and Mike Hoosier (Pomona, N.Y.) each smacked two run doubles, Garcia plated two on a single and Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Drew Lydon (White Plains, Md.) both delivered RBI-singles.</p>

<p>In the third inning, Kendall Bolt (Stockton, Calif.) scored on a wild pitch before Harris belted a two-run, opposite field, 400-foot shot over the right-centerfield fence to make the score 11-0. The round-tripper was Harris’ sixth on the year, tying him for seventh on the program’s all-time single-season list. He also became the first Navy baseball player to hit home runs in back-to-back games since Jared Munde at the Service Academy Spring Classic last year.</p>

<p>Holy Cross answered back for the second-straight game, scoring twice in the third, once in the fourth and fifth and four times in the sixth to pull within three at 11-8. That would be as close as it would get, as Melton held the Crusaders in check over the final three-plus innings. The Mids extended the lead to 12-8 in the seventh when Garcia doubled home Hollins, who led off the inning with a double.</p>

<p>All nine of Navy’s starters registered a hit in the second game, as they combined to out-hit their hosts, 14-11. Garcia posted his second four-hit effort of the season and drove in three runs to lead the offense. Hollins went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, while Harris, Hoosier and Soares each knocked in a pair of runs.</p>

<p>“Michael Garcia had two really good offensive games today,” commented Kostacopoulos. “He had good at bats, moved runners along and got on base all day today.”</p>

<p>Junior starter Mark McCoy (Parkland, Fla.) picked up the win, as he scattered 10 hits and six runs, four of which were earned, with two walks and a strikeout in five innings of work. His record improved to 4-3 on the year with Saturday’s nightcap victory.</p>

<p>Navy and Holy Cross will conclude the four-game set tomorrow with a doubleheader scheduled for 12 noon at Fitton Field. Live stats will be available via GameTracker on Navy’s website, <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a> (.)</p>

482

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Saturday, March 31, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772
Navy Track & Field Contact Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Women's Track & Field Team Wins Service Academy Championship</p>

<p>LEXINGTON, Va. -- Loni Forsythe (Sr., Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Kirsten Andrews (Sr., New Holland, Pa.) both won a pair of events to help the Navy women's track and field team win the inaugural Service Academy Championship Saturday at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va. The Mids tallied 209 points on the day to win the six-team meet comprised of the other service academy institutions.</p>

<p>"Everybody stepped up today," said Navy head coach Carla Criste. "Despite competing in a torrential downpour all afternoon, we received great efforts and saw a number of personal-best marks set."</p>

<p>Air Force totaled 190 points to place second at the meet, with Army finishing in third place with a score of 175 points.</p>

<p>Forsythe won both sprint events on the day, winning the 100 meters in a time of 11.91 and the 200 meters with a clocking of 24.91. Andrews, meanwhile, claimed first place in the 100-meter hurdles with a clocking of 14.56 and won the long jump with a leap of 5.69 meters.</p>

<p>Navy athletes would claim the top-two spots in the steeplechase, with Kyleigh Millhouse's (Jr., Boiling Springs, Pa.) 11:30.40 edging the 11:31.20 effort put forth by Maureen Dooley (So., Durham, Conn.). </p>

<p>Also highlighting the Navy efforts on the day was Jacquelyn Charnigo (Jr., Medina, Ohio), who tied for first place in the pole vault with an NCAA meet qualifying mark of 3.80 meters and in the high jump with a leap of 1.65 meters. Charnigo was awarded second place in the standings in both events by virtue of a jump off.</p>

<p>Additional Navy second-place finishes were recorded on the day by Erin Demchko (Sr., Pearl River, N.Y.) in the 1500-meter run (4:44.97), Michelle Bostic (Jr., Rockwall, Texas) in the 400 hurdles (1:03.49) and Danielle Still (Sr., Lawndale, N.J.) in the javelin (39.37 meters).</p>

<p>The meet was capped off by Navy's mile relay team of Emi Parker (Fr., Tacoma, Wash.), Taren Burnett (Jr., Virginia Beach, Va.), Jessica Orr (Jr., New Holland, Pa.) and Lauren Burmeister (Jr., Brownsdale, Minn.) winning the event with a clocking of 3:58.40.</p>

<p>Navy will next compete April 7 at the Delaware Invitational before playing host to Army April 14 at Ingram Field.</p>

<p>Final Standings
1. Navy, 209 points
2. Air Force, 190
3. Army, 175
4. The Citadel, 69
5. Coast Guard, 42
6. VMI, 34</p>

483

<p>Navy Gymnasts Finish Fourth At ECAC Championships </p>

<p>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Navy junior Christopher Tam finished eighth in the all-around to lead Navy to a fourth-place finish at the ECAC Championships hosted by Temple University this weekend. The ECAC Championships will conclude tomorrow with the individual event championships. The top eight finishers in each event likely qualify for tomorrow's event championships. </p>

<p>Navy scored 198.75 points, its second-highest output of the season. The Mids were just 1.65 points behind Army (200.30 pts.) and 4.05 points behind the University of Illinois-Chicago (202.70 pts.). Host Temple won the team title with a score of 208.40 points. </p>

<p>Tam recorded an overall score of 47.650 points en route to an eighth-place showing. He scored an 8.65 in floor exercise, a 6.50 in pommel horse, an 8.50 in still rings, a 7.70 in vault, a 7.70 in parallel bars and an 8.60 in high bar. </p>

<p>Navy also had several strong performances from three different competitors that finished in the top eight in the individual events. The top eight finishers in today's action will likely compete in tomorrow's events finals. The coaches were meeting after tonight's action to verify tomorrow's finalists. </p>

<p>Joseph Atzenbeck finished second in the pommel horse with a season-high score of 8.55. Atzenback also finished eighth in the parallel bars with a score of 8.35. </p>

<p>Sean Blackman placed third in the still rings with an impressive score of 9.25. The tally was a season high for Blackman by 0.35 points. </p>

<p>Lastly, Brandon Cook finished fourth in the vault with an 8.55. </p>

<p>Tomorrow's individual event championships will begin at 2:00 pm in Philadelphia.</p>

484

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Friday, March 30, 2007
Swimming & Diving Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Navy Ends National Swim Meet with Strong Effort</p>

<p>EAST MEADOW, N.Y. - The Navy swimming programs ended the U.S. Swimming Spring Championship on a successful note by having a trio of Mids qualify to swim during the evening sessions of finals, Saturday at the Nassau County Aquatics Center in East Meadow, N.Y.</p>

<p>Advancing out of the trial heats and into the 'C' final for their respective events were Adam Meyer (Fr., Bethesda, Md.) and Billy Vey (So., Huntersville, N.C.) in the 200 individual medley and Thuy-Mi Dinh (Fr., Anaheim, Calif.) in the 50 freestyle.</p>

<p>For Meyer the 200 IM was his second finals appearance of the meet. He earlier placed eighth in the 'C' final of the 400 individual medley Thursday night. </p>

<p>Meyer advanced to the 'C' final of the 200 IM thanks to placing 20th during the trial heats with a time of 2:10.95. Vey, meanwhile, placed 29th during the trial heats of the event with a time of 2:12.02, but moved into the final thanks to a number of swimmers choosing to opt out of the race. </p>

<p>Meyer and Vey would go on to place seventh (2:11.39) and eighth (2:12.85), respectively, in the 'C' final of the event. </p>

<p>The Navy men's team qualified at least one swimmer into the finals session on each of its four days of competition at the meet, while Dinh became the first Navy women's swimmer to compete at night during the event.</p>

<p>Dinh won her trial heat of the 50 free Saturday with time of 26.90, a clocking that placed her 21st overall. She would improve her time to 26.69 to place fourth in the 'C' final. </p>

<p>Navy ended the meet by having its men's 400 medley relay team place third with a time of 3:55.06. The foursome of Mids was comprised of Kevin Mukri (Sr., Silver Spring, Md.), Kevin Kysiak (Jr., Western Springs, Ill.), Meyer and Christopher Jenkins (Jr., Chicago, Ill.)</p>

<p>Navy Individual Event Finals Results
Women
50m Freestyle
Thuy-Mi Dinh - 26.69 - 4th place in C final
Men
200m Individual Medley
Adam Meyer - 2:11.39 - 7th place in C final
Billy Vey - 2:12.85 - 8th place in C final</p>

<p>Navy Individual Event Trial Heat Results
Women
200m Individual Medley
Kelly Zahalka - 2:25.52 - 5th in heat, 41st overall
50m Freestyle
Thuy-Mi Dinh - 26.90 -- 1st in heat, 21st overall
Sarah Dorenkott - 27.77 - 1st in heat, 62nd overall</p>

<p>Men
200m Individual Medley
Adam Meyer - 2:10.95 - 3rd in heat, 20th overall
Billy Vey - 2:12.02 - 5th in heat, 29th overall
Christopher Jenkins - 2:14.06 - 3rd in heat, 49th overall
50m Freestyle
Frank Komadina - 25.16 -- 6th in heat, 55th overall</p>

<p>400m Medley Relay Results
Navy Women - 4:35.43 - 6th in heat, 30th overall
Tara Chapmon, Mallory Dietrich, Kelly Zahalka, Sarah Dorenkott
Navy Men - 3:55.06 - 3rd in heat 3rd overall
Kevin Mukri, Kevin Kysiak, Adam Meyer, Christopher Jenkins</p>

485

<p>Published in the Washington Compost:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/31/AR2007033101200.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/31/AR2007033101200.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
The winner of the men's lacrosse game between No. 7 Georgetown and No. 4 Navy yesterday received the Scott Boyle Trophy, a silver cup named for the referee who collapsed and died during the Georgetown-Navy game in 2005.</p>

<p>Yet it was apparent from the opening whistle there was quite a bit else at stake for both teams. In the end, Georgetown junior goalkeeper Miles Kass saved a low, seven-yard shot from junior Terence Higgins with 15 seconds left to preserve a tense, hard-hitting 10-9 victory before 3,079 at Multi Sport Field....

[/quote]
</p>

486

<p>Posted on the Perfect Game Crosschecker:</p>

<p><a href="http://pgcrosschecker.com/2007/columnists/davidrawnsley/weeklycolumn/week8_32907.aspx%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://pgcrosschecker.com/2007/columnists/davidrawnsley/weeklycolumn/week8_32907.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
It seems only fitting in today’s world, with the attention focused on the United States Military and the continuing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, that the baseball community also spend time and effort above and beyond the norm looking in the Military’s direction.</p>

<p>Because at no time in the past have so many quality baseball prospects been playing and draft eligible at the three service academies, Air Force, Army and Navy.</p>

<p>Army, which went 39-14 in 2006, received an NCAA playoff berth and defeated South Alabama during regional play, has four players who are drawing attention from the scouting community; LHP Nick Hill (Sr.), RHP-OF Marlin Dinga (Sr.), LHP Drew Clothier (Jr.) and 3B Colin White (Jr.)....

[/quote]
</p>

487

<p>Navy Women's Lacrosse Holds Off Pitt, 7-5 </p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy women's lacrosse team was held to a season-low goal total, but got a strong defensive effort from the entire team, knocking off Pittsburgh, 7-5, on Sunday afternoon. The win moves Navy's record to 9-3 overall, while Pitt, who is ranked 10th in the USL-WDIA computer rankings, falls to 5-1. Navy is ranked second in the same poll. </p>

<p>"Pitt played us very tough and beat us last year," said Navy head coach Cindy Timchal. "I was pleased that we were able to get the win, despite not playing our best game." </p>

<p>The Mids jumped out to a 4-0 lead on a pair of goals by freshman Mary Ruttum, Kaylene Klingenstein and Elise Chapdelaine 20 minutes into the contest. Pitt cut into the lead with just 1:01 to play in the first half. The Panther tally was the first surrendered by the Navy defense in the first half during this weekend's three games. </p>

<p>Navy led 4-1 at halftime and pushed the lead to 6-2 eight minutes into the second half, before Pitt started to rally. The Panthers would score the next three goals in a eight-minute span to trim the margin to 6-5. However, Chapdelaine rounded out the scoring with a backbreaking tally with 8:20 to play on a free-position shot. The Mids then stalled out the clock for its ninth win of the year. </p>

<p>Chapdelaine led the Mids with four goals (3 g, 1 a), while Ruttum chipped in with two points (2 g). Klingenstein and Valerie Cappelaere each score one goal each. </p>

<p>The Mids received a big blow midway through the first half when Klingenstein went down with a knee injury. She did not return in the game and was on crutches with her knee heavily wrapped during the second half. Her return is doubtful for the remainder of the season. Klingenstein entered Sunday's action with 43 points (33 g, 10 a), ranking third on the team in scoring. </p>

<p>"This is a big blow for our offense," said Timchal. "She was kind of a hidden gem this year and was really starting to come into her own. Other players are really going to have to step up in her place." </p>

<p>Navy outshot Pittsburgh, 22-19, and picked up 33 ground balls to Pitt's 29. Navy also forced the Panthers into 29 turnovers, including 19 in the first half. </p>

<p>"We are starting to really improve defensively, especially in settled situations," said Timchal. "We did a great job containing their offensive players and created more turnovers. But we have to be able to put our chances away and we didn't do that today. Our clearing game was very poor as well and something that we need to improve on. We aren't giving ourselves enough possessions when we turn the ball over on clears." </p>

<p>The Mids will battle their third Division I opponent of the year on Tuesday, traveling to Howard for a 4:00 pm contest. </p>

<p>"It's a game that we are excited for, simply because it's another Division I opponent," said Timchal. "We have played decent against our first two (Division I foes), and hopefully we can get over the hump."</p>

488

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

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_01-46/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_01-46/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
The Navy women's lacrosse team picked up a pair of wins in yesterday's Severn Shootout.</p>

<p>Amanda Towey (seven goals, two assists) and Erin Rawlick each recorded nine points in a 22-2 win over Villanova's club team. </p>

<p>Elise Chapdelaine and Kaylene Klingenstein each added three goals and an assist for Navy....

[/quote]
</p>

489

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

<p><a href="http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_01-74/NAS%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/04_01-74/NAS&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Predictably, head coach Paul Johnson wasn't pleased with Navy's initial intrasquad scrimmage of the spring.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen went over to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for some full-field, 11-on-11 work and Johnson was not impressed by too much of what he saw....

[/quote]
</p>

490

<p>Navy finishes 19th at Lacrosse Homes Invitational</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Men's Golf Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773</p>

<p>Mids Finish 19th at Lacrosse Homes Golf Invitational</p>

<p>GRASONVILLE, Md. - Navy shaved 13 strokes off its opening-round score with an 18-over par 306 to finish 19th out of 21 teams at the Lacrosse Homes Collegiate Invitational held at the par-72 Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville, Md. The Mids turned in a two-day score of 625 (319-306, +49), just a stroke behind 18th-place Binghamton (314-310). </p>

<p>St. John's claimed the team title with a 4-over par 580 (293-287), 12 strokes ahead of Longwood (297-295), while Keegan Bradley of St. John's took home the individual title with a 2-under 142 (72-70), a stroke ahead of four other players, including teammate George Zolotas.</p>

<p>Junior Chris Renninger (Darnestown, Md.) led the Midshipmen with an 8-over par 152 to tie for 34th. Renninger produced a 6-over par 78 in the opening round, but came back to post a 2-over par 74, the team's best final day score, to push up the leader board. Second-year standout Eric Stinson (Spotsylvania, Va.) turned in a pair of 77's to finish in 49th with a 10-over par 154. Team captain Jeremy Garner (Fayetteville, Ga.) struggled on the first day where he was 10-over, but came back to post a 5-over par 77 in the final round to tie for 75th. Sophomore Chip Hardie (Arnold, Md.) placed 84th with a 17-over par 161 (83-78), while Ryan Wielgus (Bethesda, Md.) finished 92nd with a 19-over par 163 (82-81).</p>

<p>The Midshipmen will be back in action next Friday and Saturday when they play host to the annual Navy Spring Invitational at the USNA Golf Club.</p>

491

<p>For: Immediate Release
Sent: April 1, 2007
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775</p>

<p>Harris Leads Navy To Four-Game Sweep Of Holy Cross</p>

<p>WORCESTER, Mass.-Junior Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) went 2-3 with a double, home run and three RBI to lead Navy (22-9, 4-0 in the Patriot League) to an 8-1 win over Holy Cross (2-13, 0-4) in game one of a Patriot League doubleheader on Sunday and then came back in game two and collected two hits and drove in four more runs to lead the Mids to an 11-6 victory and a four-game sweep of the Crusaders.</p>

<p>Harris was 8-18 with eight runs scored, 12 RBI and three home runs on the weekend. He homered in each of the first three games of the series. Harris was also the starting pitcher in game one on Saturday and picked up his sixth win of the year by striking out eight batters in 6 1/3 innings.</p>

<p>"Whenever you go 4-0 in a league weekend, it's a good weekend," said Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "Mitch was absolutely huge for us. Driving in 12 runs and picking up a win on the mound says it all."</p>

<p>Freshman Oliver Drake (Gardner, Mass.) had a successful homecoming, hurling his first-career complete game and picking up his first-career collegiate win. The Massachusetts native shut down the Crusader bats, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out three.</p>

<p>"Oliver's performance was really critical because each team's pitching heading into the third game was a little thin," said Kostacopoulos. "He came out and was in control throughout the entire game."</p>

<p>Freshman outfield Mike Hoosier (Pomona, N.Y.) collected three hits and drove in two runs for the Midshipmen, while Harris went 2-3 with a double, home run and three RBI. </p>

<p>In game two, freshman pitcher Yale Eckert (La Selva Beach, Calif.) picked up his second-career win by allowing just three earned runs in six innings.</p>

<p>Navy put the game away early with a seven-run second inning. Sophomore catcher Josh Martinez (Denver, Colo.) collected three hits, while senior Mike Garcia (Kailua, Hawaii) drove in two runs.</p>

<p>The Mids are off until next weekend when they play host to Patriot League foe Lafayette in doubleheaders beginning at 12-noon on both Saturday and Sunday at Max Bishop Stadium.</p>

<p>Lafayette (12-10, 4-0 in the Patriot League) was picked to finish second by the Patriot League coaches in the preseason and are coming off a four-game sweep of Patriot League favorite and defending champion Army.</p>

492

<p>Stanton Claims Individual ECAC Pommel Horse Title </p>

<p>PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Adam Stanton won the individual title in the pommel horse at the ECAC Championships held this weekend at Temple University. In addition, five other Navy performances earned top eight honors and assistant coach Craig Holt was named the ECAC Assistant Coach of the Year, announced on Sunday evening. </p>

<p>Stanton recorded a score of 8.650 on the pommel horse to outdistance teammate Joe Atzenbeck (8.600), who finished third and Temple's Jon Vogtman (8.600), who placed second via tiebreaker. Stanton pulled off a outstanding swing with a great handstand pirouetting work through to his dismount. Atzenbeck's performance gave the Mids a one-three finish in the pommel horse. </p>

<p>Brandon Cook finished second in the vault with a score of 8.600, well behind Vogtman's score of 9.100. Cook's score was a result of a vaulted a very clean Kas half. </p>

<p>Navy's final top-three finish came from Isaac Olsen on the high bar with a score of 9.000. University of Illinois-Chicago's Tim Morrison claimed the title with a 9.100. Olsen wowed the crowd with his impeccable lines and a sky-high Geinger release. </p>

<p>Rounding out Navy's top-eight finishes came from Atzenbeck with a seventh-place showing in the parallel bars with a score of 7.850. Sean Blackman finished eighth in the rings with a score of 8.350. </p>

<p>During the competition, several conference honors were awarded based on a voting system by the coaches in the conference, where Holt was named by his peers as the Assistant Coach of the Year. Winning Coach of the Year was James Madison University's Roger Burke; Rookie of the Year went to UIC's Nikolai Korepanov; UIC's Tim Morrison won Senior Athlete of the Year; Army's George Rhynedance was awarded Most Improved Gymnast of the Year. </p>

<p>Navy will be in action next at the NCAA Qualifying Meet on April 12 in University Park, Pa., beginning at 1:00 pm.</p>

493

<p>Overall Navy Sports Record, 267-134-3 (.665)</p>

<p>Baseball (22-9, 4-0 in the Patriot League)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Mount St. Mary's, 16-3; defeated Holy Cross, 7-6; defeated Holy Cross, 12-8; defeated Holy Cross, 8-1; defeated Holy Cross, 11-6</p>

<p>This Week: Lafayette-DH (Saturday, 12 noon, Annapolis, Md., GameTracker on navysports.com); Lafayette-DH (Sunday, 12 noon, Annapolis, Md., GameTracker on navysports.com)</p>

<p>Heavyweight Crew (2-1)</p>

<p>Last Week: Lost to Princeton, 6:04.6-6:18.1</p>

<p>This Week: at Harvard, vs. Penn (Saturday, Boston, Mass.)</p>

<p>Lightweight Crew (1-1)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Yale, 5:54.2-5:56.2</p>

<p>This Week: at Rutgers, vs. Columbia (Sunday, New Brunswick, N.J.)</p>

<p>Women's Crew (10-1)</p>

<p>Last Week: Placed first out of three teams at the Playfair Cup</p>

<p>This Week: at the George Washington Invitational (Friday-Saturday, Washington, D.C.)</p>

<p>Golf </p>

<p>Last Week: Finished 19th out of 21 teams at the Lacrosse Homes Collegiate Invitational</p>

<p>This Week: Navy Spring Invitational (Friday-Saturday, all day, Annapolis, Md.)</p>

<p>Gymnastics (9-11)</p>

<p>Last Week: Finished fourth out of eight teams at the ECAC Championship</p>

<p>This Week: Idle</p>

<h1>4 Men's Lacrosse (8-1, 5-0 in the Patriot League)</h1>

<p>Last Week: Lost to #7 Georgetown, 10-9</p>

<p>This Week: #10 Maryland (Friday, 7 p.m., Annapolis, Md., GameTracker on navysports.com, CSTV, 1430 WNAV)</p>

<p>Women's Lacrosse (9-3)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Villanova Club, 22-2; defeated Boston College Club, 18-4; defeated Pittsburgh Club, 7-5</p>

<p>This Week: at Howard (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Washington, D.C.); Maryland Club (Friday, 7 p.m., Annapolis, Md.)</p>

<p>Tennis (10-10, 2-0 in the Patriot League)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Richmond, 5-2; defeated George Washington, 4-3</p>

<p>This Week: UMBC (Thursday, 2 p.m., Annapolis, Md.)</p>

<p>Men's Outdoor Track & Field (8-0)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Princeton, 212-142; defeated Penn, 212-117; defeated Rutgers, 212-87; defeated Colgate, 212-28</p>

<p>This Week: at the Texas Relays (Wednesday-Saturday, all day, Austin, Texas)</p>

<p>Women's Outdoor Track & Field (9-0)</p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated Air Force, 209-190; defeated Army, 209-175; defeated The Citadel, 209-69; defeated The Coast Guard, 209-42; defeated VMI, 209-34</p>

<p>This Week: at the Colonial Relays (Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m., Williamsburg, Va.); at the Penn Invitational (Saturday, all day, Philadelphia, Pa.)</p>

494

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Monday, April 2, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Senior CLASS Award Announcement Set for Tuesday</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award will reveal its 2007 women's basketball recipients Tuesday night on ESPN during the network's coverage of the NCAA Championship game between Tennessee and Rutgers. </p>

<p>The announcement will include the naming of the program's Senior of the Year and the First and Second-Team All-Senior CLASS squads.</p>

<p>Navy's Kate Hobbs (Sr., Wexford, Pa.) is one of the 10 finalists vying for the awards.</p>

<p>The Senior CLASS Award was established in 2001 by sportscaster Dick Enberg to honor those senior basketball players for their achievements on the court, in the classroom and within their communities. CLASS in the award title is an acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.</p>

<p>After initial nominations for the award were submitted at the start of the basketball season, a list of 30 semifinalists was established in January. A national panel of coaches and media then narrowed the semifinalists down to 10 finalists in February, at which point another round of voting was conducted by coaches, media, the sponsors and the general public to determine the final awards.</p>

<p>Hobbs placed second behind Purdue All-American Katie Gearlds in the month-long online balloting of the fans.</p>

495

<p>President Bush Presents the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy to the United States Naval Academy Football Team
(Rose Garden)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070402-8.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070402-8.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>2:35 P.M. EDT</p>

<p>THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the Rose Garden. It seems to me that this is becoming a spring tradition. (Laughter and applause.) For the fourth year in a row, the football team from the Naval Academy is here to receive the Commander-in-Chief Trophy -- the Rose Garden shall be called "the yard." (Applause.)</p>

<p>This year's team was among the Navy's best ever. That says a lot. This is a team that had the most rushing yards in the nation. That says a lot. You had the highest graduation rate of any football team in the country. That says even more. You went 9 and 3, you made it to the bowl game and you beat Army.</p>

<p>I thank you all for coming. I appreciate members of the administration who have joined us: Deputy Secretary of the VA, Gordon Mansfield; Secretary Don Winter, of the Navy; General Pete Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- and, I might add, the first Marine to serve in that capacity; Admiral "G," Ed Giambastiani -- that's hard for a Texan to say, but it's not hard to tell you how much I admire Admiral "G" and Pete Pace; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chief of Naval Operations, thank you for coming, Chief; General Jim Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps; and Ellen Moyer, the Mayor of Annapolis. We are glad you all are here and Mayor, thanks for coming.</p>

<p>Vice Admiral Ron Rempt -- Ron, I notice that you gathered up my speech. (Laughter.) Just remember, page three follows page two. (Laughter.) But it's good to have you again.</p>

<p>VICE ADMIRAL REMPT: Sir, it's a pleasure to be here.</p>

<p>THE PRESIDENT: Coach Paul Johnson. You talk about a winner, this guy knows how to build winners. And Coach, we're glad you're back. I'm proud to welcome you and your staff. I appreciate very much the members of the football team that have joined us, and I thank all of the Naval Academy supporters who are here.</p>

<p>The Navy's fourth consecutive winning season may not sound like much to people who don't follow football, but it's a remarkable feat considering that the team was 0 and 10 six years ago. They showed up 10 times, they played hard all 10 times, but they won zero times. And here they are, standing in the Rose Garden with the Commander-in-Chief. It says a lot about resilience and a lot about determination, and a lot about correcting past mistakes.</p>

<p>Coach Johnson has put together a really good coaching staff, and I appreciate very much, Coach, you motivating these players toward championship -- toward the championships that you've earned. The season started with three wins in a row, including a blowout over Stanford; you beat Air Force in Colorado Springs; you beat Army by 12 points, the fifth win in a row for the Naval Academy. They tell me that's a pretty big deal.</p>

<p>You earned a spot in the Meineke Car Care Bowl -- Meineke Car Care Bowl. Nevertheless, you played a big-time school: Boston College. Boston College is a football power, and it was a really great game. I watched it. I was impressed by the 322 yards you earned. I know you're disappointed with the one-point loss, but you can't be disappointed with the effort.</p>

<p>I appreciate the fact that your class is the first in school history to win four straight Commander-in-Chief trophies, the first to go 8 and 0 against Army and Air Force, and the first to play in four straight bowl games. That's a lot of firsts.</p>

<p>Your class won 35 games in four years. The only Navy class to win more games graduated in 1909. I don't know whether William Howard Taft welcomed the team in 1909, but I can tell you, the 43rd President is proud to welcome such champions here to the Rose Garden.</p>

<p>One of the reasons your team was so successful this year, of course, is because you had a captain from Texas. (Laughter.) Five different Navy players rushed for more than 100 yards in a game this season. That's more than any other team in the nation. That's called a well-balanced attack.</p>

<p>I appreciate the fact that one of your quarterbacks stepped in for an injured starter, and went on to score four touchdowns in a single game. I would like to say his name, I'll probably bungle it -- I'll just say, the guy is from Hawaii. (Laughter.)</p>

<p>I appreciate the fact that Keenan Little became the first player in Navy history to score defensive touchdowns against Air Force and Army in the same season. I'm proud to be up here with a fellow Texan from Lewisville, Texas -- the mascot of one of the high school teams in Lewisville, believe it or not, is the "Fighting Farmers." (Laughter.) This guy was your fullback, Adam Ballard. He gained 134 yards against Air Force. When he was named MVP, he wisely -- wisely -- gave the credit to his offensive line. Smart move, Adam. (Laughter.)</p>

<p>You know, it's interesting -- how would you like to be the punter on the Navy team who went two full games without showing up on the field? (Laughter.) Veteto -- Greg is his first name, was, like, the punter on the team, and for two games in a row, he was never used. And, yet, I think he didn't mind.</p>

<p>The team had a special leader in Eddie Martin. I don't know if the country knows this, but he was diagnosed with cancer last year. He didn't play any games this year, but he always led the team out of the locker room for every home game. And so, Eddie, I appreciate the inspiration you've provided for your team and for the Academy. I know you're fighting a brave battle, and a lot of people will pray for your full recovery.</p>

<p>When you signed up for the Naval Academy, you signed up for more than playing football. I'm glad Coach Johnson -- I'm sure Coach Johnson was glad that you said, I want to be a football player at the Naval Academy. But you signed up to become officers in the finest military the world has ever known. And my job is to keep it that way, and I will. But you can't have the finest military the world has ever known without men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform, just like you've done.</p>

<p>You volunteered after September the 11th, 2001. That's a remarkable decision you have made. I vowed after September 11, 2001, that I would use the full power of our government to protect the American people from harm. And I meant what I said. And, therefore, anybody who signed up afterwards knew what they were getting into. It's a remarkable country when people make such a noble decision to serve their country in a time of war. And I'm proud to be the Commander-in-Chief of such decent, honorable, sacrificing men and women.</p>

<p>The lessons you have learned on the football field and at the Naval Academy will serve you well on the battlefield. You learned the importance of teamwork and leadership and strong, personal character. And you're going to put those qualities to the highest possible use, and that is to protect the American people and to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.</p>

<p>The Navy and Marine Corps are on the front line of fighting and winning the war against the extremists, radicals, who would do this country harm. Every day we're on the offense against an enemy. My attitude is, I would rather defeat them over there so we do not have to face them here. And the Marine Corps and the Navy are helping to lead that charge.</p>

<p>The sailors and Marines on the high sea are sending a clear message to the world that we stand for strength, and we stand for peace. Former Navy football players have distinguished themselves in the line of duty. Marine First Lieutenant Brian Stann comes to mind, the class of '03. He won the Silver Star.</p>

<p>We also have some of the former Navy football players lose their lives: Ron Winchester of '01, J.P. Blecksmith of the class of '03. Another gave his life in flight over the Pacific, Navy Lieutenant Commander Scott Zellem, the class of '91. The United States of America will not forget their sacrifices. We will complete our missions so that their sacrifices will not have gone in vain.</p>

<p>It is such an honor to welcome such fine men to the Rose Garden. I'm proud to be standing with you. I thank you for your service to our country. I appreciate the fact that you're good football players. But, more importantly, I appreciate the fact that you're good Americans.</p>

<p>God bless. (Applause.)</p>

496

<p>Local frosh makes first decision at Navy a win</p>

<p>Published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/NEWS/704020414&SearchID=73276861153938%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/NEWS/704020414&SearchID=73276861153938&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
Oliver Drake has discovered one of the few places a freshman at the United States Naval Academy can be in command. </p>

<p>And that would be on a pitching mound. </p>

<p>Drake, who was born in Worcester and raised in Gardner, displayed great control in a route-going performance as Navy defeated Holy Cross, 8-1, yesterday in the first game of a Patriot League doubleheader at Fitton Field....

[/quote]
</p>

497

<p>Published in the Washington Compost:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/02/AR2007040201183.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/02/AR2007040201183.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
President Bush saluted both successes and sacrifices Monday as he awarded the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy to the Naval Academy's football team.</p>

<p>Navy lost the Meineke Bowl to Boston College on Dec. 30. But little matter. The Midshipmen had already beat Army 26-14 to clinch the trophy awarded annually to the winner of the football competition between the three major service academies....

[/quote]
</p>

498

<p>Washington, April 2, 2007 -- President Bush today congratulated the U.S. Naval Academy football team for its feats on the gridiron, and thanked members for their service to America. Navy ended the season with a 9-3 record, capped off by a Meineke Car Care Bowl appearance against Boston College. The team led the nation in rushing yards, had the highest graduation rate, and for the fourth straight year, the Midshipmen beat Army and Air Force during its season and earned the Commander in Chief's Trophy.</p>

<p>"It seems to me that this is becoming a spring tradition," the president quipped during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden., , "I appreciate the fact that your class is the first in school history to win four straight Commander in Chief trophies, the first to go 8 and 0 against Army and Air Force, and the first to play in four straight bowl games," Bush told the Navy gridders. "That's a lot of firsts."</p>

<p>Bush said that when the Midshipmen signed up for the Naval Academy, they signed up for more than playing football. "You signed up to become officers in the finest military the world has ever known," he said.</p>

<p>But the finest military the world has ever known can't exist without men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform, the president said.</p>

<p>"You volunteered after September 11, 2001. That's a remarkable decision you have made," Bush said. "I vowed after September 11, 2001, that I would use the full power of our government to protect the American people from harm. And I meant what I said."</p>

<p>Bush said that therefore, anyone who signed up after the September 11 attacks knew what they were getting into.</p>

<p>"It's a remarkable country when people make such a noble decision to serve their country in a time of war," he said. "And I'm proud to be the commander in chief of such decent, honorable, sacrificing men and women."</p>

<p>Lessons that the Midshipmen have learned on the football field and at the Naval Academy, including the importance of teamwork and leadership and having strong personal character, will serve them well on the battlefield, the president said.</p>

<p>"You're going to put those qualities to the highest possible use, and that is to protect the American people and to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come," he said. "The Navy and Marine Corps are on the front line of fighting and winning the war against the extremists (and) radicals who would do this country harm. Every day we're on the offense against an enemy."</p>

<p>The president said he would rather defeat enemy combatants "over there" so that U.S. servicemembers do not have to face them here. "And the Marine Corps and the Navy are helping to lead that charge," he said.</p>

<p>BYLINE: John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2007 Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
Defense Department Documents and Publications
April 2, 2007</p>

499

<p>For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Harris Named to Weekly National Honor Roll</p>

<p>LUBBOCK, Texas – For his all-around performance at the plate and on the mound last weekend, Navy baseball junior Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) has been named to the College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll for this week, it was announced on Tuesday morning.</p>

<p>This week’s recognition marks the second time he has earned weekly national recognition during his career. He was named to the College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll last year following his no-hitter against Coppin State to conclude his sophomore campaign.</p>

<p>Harris played a key role in Navy’s four-game sweep of Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., last weekend, the team’s first four-game road sweep of a Patriot League foe in 12 years.</p>

<p>At the plate, the product of Mt. Holly, N.C., batted .444 (8-for-18) with eight runs scored, two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs and a slugging percentage of 1.056. He registered at least one extra-base hit, one run and one RBI during each of the four games last weekend.</p>

<p>He belted home runs in three-consecutive games to start the series, becoming only the second player in school history (Mark Zematis at East Carolina on March 4-5, 2000, being the other) to achieve the feat and the first to do so against Patriot League opposition. The three four-baggers Harris smacked this past weekend pushed his season total to seven, tying him for third place on the program’s single-season home run list.</p>

<p>In the series opener, Harris pounded a three-run home run over the left-center fence to build on Navy’s one-run lead in the sixth inning. During the nightcap of last Saturday’s doubleheader, he went the opposite way with a 400-foot shot over the right-center fence, just missing the scoreboard. One game later on Sunday, he gave the Mids a 1-0 lead in the first with his second opposite field shot, nearly hit to the same spot as his previous round-tripper.</p>

<p>For the year as a hitter, Harris owns a .327 (33-for-101) batting average with 24 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 33 RBIs, 15 walks and a .614 slugging percentage.</p>

<p>On the mound, Harris won the opening game of the series, striking out eight in 6.1 innings to improve to 6-2 on the year. He has struck out more batters than innings pitched this season and has recorded the feat in 14 of his last 16 starts, dating back to the 2006 season.</p>

<p>The eight strikeouts pushed Harris’ career total to 202, making him only the fifth pitcher in school history to reach 200 career strikeouts and only the second Navy pitcher to reach that mark before his senior year (Chuck Davis in 1959-60 was the other).</p>

<p>Following his start on the hill, the Navy right-hander owns a 2.17 ERA in 49.2 innings of work. He has struck out 67 batters this season, averaging 12.14 strikeouts per nine innings. Meanwhile, he has allowed only 30 hits, limiting the opposition to a .169 batting average.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen (22-9, 4-0 in the Patriot League) will host Lafayette (12-10, 4-0 in the Patriot League) in a showdown of the league’s two undefeated teams this weekend at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium in Annapolis. Live stats will be available for each of the four games this upcoming weekend via GameTracker through Navy’s website, <a href="http://www.navysports.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.navysports.com&lt;/a> (.)</p>

500

<p><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_navy_football_070403/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_navy_football_070403/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>
[quote]
President Bush saluted both successes and sacrifices Monday as he awarded the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Naval Academy’s football team.</p>

<p>Navy lost the Meineke Bowl to Boston College on Dec. 30. But little matter. The Midshipmen had already beat Army 26-14 to clinch the trophy awarded annually to the winner of the football competition between the three major service academies.</p>

<p>It’s the fourth straight year that the Navy collected the trophy, and the fifth win in a row over Army....

[/quote]
</p>