Navy Sports

Colleges & Universities United States Naval Academy (USNA)
1601

<p>Game Information
UMBC at Navy
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Annapolis, Md. (Alumni Hall)
Live on WNAV-AM 1430 and Navy All-Access</p>

<p>After playing four-straight games away from home over the last three weeks, the Navy women’s basketball team returns to Alumni Hall Wednesday night when the Midshipmen play host to UMBC in a 7 p.m. game.</p>

<p>The contest will be Navy’s last game prior to final exams, as well as the last home game for the Mids until after Christmas. </p>

<p>Broadcast Information
Navy All-Access subscribers will be able to receive live audio and video streaming of the game through <a href=“http://www.navysports.com(%5B/url%5D.)”>www.navysports.com(.)</a> A monthly subscription costs $6.95, while a one-year subscription costs $49.95.</p>

<p>Additionally, a broadcast of the game can be heard live on WNAV-AM 1430 and [1430</a> WNAV Your Hometown Station Annapolis, Maryland](<a href=“http://www.wnav.com%5D1430”>http://www.wnav.com) starting at 6:45 with the Navy Pre-Game Show. Live statistics from the game can also be found through the Gametracker feature at <a href=“http://www.navysports.com(%5B/url%5D.)”>www.navysports.com(.)</a></p>

1602

<p>Mount holds off slow-starting Navy</p>

<p>[Mt</a>. St. Mary’s catches Midshipmen napping - Navy Sports - (HometownAnnapolis.com)](<a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette)</p>

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1603

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Navy Totals Three Weekly League Swimming and Diving Awards</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Members of the Navy swimming and diving programs totaled a trio of weekly awards from the Patriot League Tuesday in recognition of their respective performances during last week’s Army-Navy meets. Adam Meyer (So., Bethesda, Md.) was tabbed as the league’s men’s swimmer of the week, while Katie Griffin (Sr., Ellicott City, Md.) and Olaf Olson (Fr., Bainbridge Island, Wash.) were selected as the league’s divers of the week.</p>

<p>Meyer and Olson both earned their respective award for the third time this season, while Griffin picked up her fifth weekly nod of the year.</p>

<p>Meyer set records during each of his three individual events last week against the Black Knights. He recorded wins in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:58.86 and the 200 individual medley with a clocking of 2:01.66 and placed second by eight-hundredth of a second in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:15.63. His clocking in each event set new Navy metric pool records, while he established new Lejeune Hall and Army-Navy metric meet records in the 200 fly and 200 IM. Additionally, his 200 fly time was an NCAA ‘B’ cut qualifying time.</p>

<p>Following the completion of the Army-Navy meet, Meyer traveled with several teammates to Atlanta to take part in the American Short Course National Championship. There, he missed qualifying for the ‘C’ level final in the 200 breaststroke by two places and six-tenths of a second. His time of 2:03.35 in the event ranks ninth in Navy history.</p>

<p>Griffin, who has now been tabbed as the women’s diver of the week by the league 18 times during her career, won both boards against Army to improve to a combined 22-0 on the season. She posted winning scores of 277.05 on the one meter and 304.05 on the three meter. </p>

<p>The two wins pushes her career total of victories in Army-Navy meets to five, which is the second-most wins recorded by a Mid in Army-Navy series history and the third-highest tally by any female diver in the series.</p>

<p>After posting a score of 263.63 to place third on the one meter during the Army-Navy meet, Olson recorded 342.00 points to win the three-meter event by 19.05 points. The win improves his record on the three meter this season to 8-3 and he is now a combined 13-8 on the two boards this year.</p>

<p>The Navy programs will continue their regular seasons in January. The men’s team will next compete Jan. 5 in Annapolis against Harvard, while the women’s team will play host to Cornell and Yale, along with the Navy men, one week later in Lejeune Hall.</p>

1604

<p>For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Charnigo Leads Mids to Two Wins in Season Opener</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy pole vaulter Jacqui Charnigo (Sr./Medina, Ohio) qualified for the ECAC Championship with a first-place height to lead the Midshipmen to dual-scoring wins over American and Mount St. Mary’s to open the women’s indoor track & field season on Tuesday night at Halsey Field House.</p>

<p>Navy topped American, 264-66, and Mount St. Mary’s, 246-118, to open the 2007-08 indoor slate with a 2-0 record. The Midshipmen have not lost a regular season dual-meet since the 2004-05 indoor season, a span of 47-straight wins.</p>

<p>Charnigo, last year’s ECAC outdoor pole vault champion, soared over the 12’3-1/2” (3.75 meters) bar on her second try to surpass the championship-qualifying standard. The product of Medina, Ohio, attempted to break the school record and match the NCAA Championship provisional qualifying mark of 12’11-1/2” (3.95 meters), but could not clear the height on three attempts. Earlier in the day, she finished second in the high jump with a height of 5’1” (1.54 meters).</p>

<p>“Jacqui really exceeded our expectations at this point of the season,” stated Navy head coach Carla Criste. “This really bodes well for things to come.</p>

<p>“I’m quite happy with the tone the upperclassmen has set for the team. They are paving the way for the underclassmen.”</p>

<p>The Midshipmen won each of the six field events on Tuesday night. Indoor team captain Lauren Burmeister (Sr./Brownsdale, Minn.) soared 37’1-3/4” (11.32 meters) to win the triple jump after Colleen Conley (Jr./Woodstock, Md.) topped the field with a 17’1/2” (5.19 meters) performance in the long jump. Rebecca Tucker (Sr./Oregon City, Ore.) came away victorious in the high jump with a mark of 5’1” (1.54 meters), while Meg Joyce (Jr./West Kingston, R.I.) won the weight throw with a distance of 42’4” (12.90 meters) and Janet Von Eiff (Fr./San Diego, Calif.) uncorked a toss of 38’8-1/4” (11.79 meters) to win the shot put in her first collegiate meet.</p>

<p>Navy also out-ran the field in five track events during its season-opening meet. Amy Watson (So./Hampstead, Md.), a First-Team All-Patriot League cross country runner in the fall, opened the track portion of the meet with a first-place time of 18:16.19 in the 5,0000-meter run.</p>

<p>Sabrina Gambill (Sr./Bridgewater, Mass.) delivered a time of 8.81 seconds in the 55-meter hurdles to pace the competition in the next event. Katie Calhoun (So./Lancaster, Pa.) followed with a first-place showing of 5:29.47 in the mile run and Vicki Moore (Sr./Burke, Va.) completed the 800-meter run in 2:20.44 to claim another event title.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen wrapped up the evening with Maureen Dooley (Jr./Durham, Conn.), Kyleigh Millhouse (Sr./Boiling Springs, Pa.), Jenny Rubin (So./Papillion, Neb.) and Arwyn Becker (Sr./Vail, Colo.) teaming up for a first-place clocking of 10:11.25 in the 4x800-meter relay.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen will be off during final exams and the semester break before returning to action on Jan. 4 with the World Pole Vault Summit Championship in Reno, Nev., and the UMES Invitational in Princess Anne, Md.</p>

1605

<p>For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Mids Open Season on High Note in Navy Invitational</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy men’s track & field team posted four IC4A qualifying marks and won 10 events to open the 2007-08 indoor season in the non-team scoring Navy Invitational on Wednesday night at Halsey Field House.</p>

<p>Competing against American, Catholic, Coppin State, Delaware State, Mount St. Mary’s and VCU, the Midshipmen claimed first in five of the 11 track events and topped the field in five of the six field events.</p>

<p>Paul Harris (Sr./Fairburn, Ga.), Will Ricks (Sr./Hopewell, Va.), indoor team captain Craig Meekins (Sr./Baldwin, N.Y.) and Vince Carpentier (So./Branchburg, N.J.) teamed up for an IC4A-qualifying time of 3:17.84 in the 4x400-meter relay. Harris, Meekins, Ricks and Ben Kozy (Sr./Houston, Texas) met the IC4A standard in the distance medley relay with a 10:02.86, first-place clocking.</p>

<p>Ron Belany (Sr./Haiku, Hawai’i) enjoyed a successful start to his senior campaign, as he totaled three event victories on Wednesday night. He qualified for the IC4A Championship in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.72 seconds to win the event. Meanwhile, he also out-distanced the competition in the long jump with a distance of 22’5-3/4" (6.85 meters) and cleared 15’0" (4.57 meters) in the pole vault for his third win of the day.</p>

<p>Jeff Sarchione (Sr./Alliance, Ohio) paced the field in the mile run with a 4:17.98 clocking and Matthew Leyndyke (Jr./Traverse City, Mich.) won the 3,000-meter run with a 8:39.95 showing.</p>

<p>In the field events, Darryl Hunter (Sr./Des Moines, Iowa) surpassed the IC4A qualifying mark in the shot put with a first-place distance of 52’11" (16.13 meters). Mark Van Orden (So./Morris Plains, N.J.) battled through the snow at Ingram Field to post a personal best in the 35-pound weight throw, a 53’4-1/4" (16.26 meters) toss for first place. Bill Stillman (So./Norfolk, Mass.) soared over the 6’6-3/4" (2.00 meters) bar in the high jump to earn first-place honors.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen will be off during final exams and the semester break before returning to action on Jan. 6 with a dual-meet at Princeton.</p>

1606

<p>UMBC 59, Navy 51</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>UMBC Defeats Navy in Women’s Basketball</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. – UMBC held off a late rally by the Navy women’s basketball team to post a 59-51 victory over the Midshipmen Wednesday evening at Alumni Hall in Annapolis. </p>

<p>Navy (2-8) trailed by 17 points with 5:14 left to play, but sliced the deficit down to eight points and had two possessions to cut into it even more. The Mids misfired on a field goal attempt on their first chance to make it a six-point game with just over two minutes remaining, then, after forcing the Retrievers into a miss on their ensuing possession, had a fastbreak opportunity 30 seconds later. The ball was hurried down the court into the hands of K.C. Gordon (So., Vienna, Va.), but she was called for a charging foul on her drive to the basket with 1:29 remaining in the game. UMBC’s Chrissy Robinson promptly connected on a field goal to push the margin back to double figures at 57-47 with 1:16 left to play.</p>

<p>The Retrievers (3-6) held Navy’s offense in check for two long stretches in the first half. UMBC quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, then later held the Mids without a field goal for over seven minutes in building a 20-14 advantage. A Whitney Davidson (Jr., New Oxford, Pa.) three-point field goal cut the margin in half and ignited a 10-0 for the Mids to give Navy a 24-20 lead with just over one minute remaining before halftime. The Retrievers converted a pair of field goals over the final 60 seconds of the half to send the teams into halftime knotted at 24-24.</p>

<p>Gordon connected on a jumper on Navy’s opening possession of the second half, but UMBC scored 15-straight and 20 of the next 23 points to jump in front of the Mids 44-29 with 11:40 left to play in the game. The Retrievers would hold their largest lead of the game at 55-38 just prior to the start of the late Navy rally.</p>

<p>“We need to continue becoming a more consistent team on both ends of the floor,” said Navy head coach Tom Marryott. “We have to limit the number of and the length of the spans in which we struggle either on offense or defense. Additionally, when we do go several possessions without having success on one end, we have to step up our focus on the other end so as to not compound our problems. All of our games are coming down to just a few possessions, so each one is valuable to us.”</p>

<p>Navy entered the game ranked 51st nationally with a free throw percentage of 74.2 percent on the season. With that in mind, the Mids shot an uncharacteristic 10-of-18 from the foul line (55.6%) this evening, which included a 3-of-10 effort (30.0%) after halftime. Conversely, UMBC finished the night sinking 12-of-14 attempts (85.7%) from the charity stripe.</p>

<p>UMBC connected on 35.6 percent of its field goal attempts in the game, with Navy sinking 30.9 percent of its shots from the floor. Navy also drilled seven three-pointers in the game, with Davidson sinking a career-best five on the night on her way to tallying a season-best 15 points for the Mids.</p>

<p>Joining Davidson in double figures were Angela Myers (Fr., San Antonio, Texas) and Cassie Consedine (Fr., Barltesville, Okla.), who both scored 10 points. Consedine added 10 rebounds to record her fifth double-double of the season and three blocked shots, while Myers also contributed five boards, three assists and a pair of steals.</p>

<p>Carlee Cassidy and Kristin Drabyn both scored 15 points to lead UMBC’s offense.</p>

<p>Navy will now take a break in its season for final exams before resuming its campaign Dec. 16 at Marshall.</p>

1607

<p>For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Mids Picked to Tie for Patriot League Title</p>

<p>CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Navy men’s track & field team has been picked to finish in a tie with Army for first place at the Patriot League Championship during the indoor season, it was announced in the league’s preseason poll on Wednesday night.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen, who return 29 letterwinners and eight league champions from a season ago, are looking to win their first Patriot League crown since capturing the 2004 and ’05 titles. Navy has finished second in each of the past-two league championships.</p>

<p>Navy and two-time defending league champion Army each collected 90 points from the league’s coaches and sports information contacts. The Mids were credited with six first-place votes, while the Black Knights grabbed the other 10 first-place ballots.</p>

<p>Bucknell, this year’s league championship host on Feb. 22-24, was picked to finish third with its 70 points received. American was tabbed fourth with 64 points, followed by Lehigh’s 47 points, Lafayette’s 43 points, Colgate’s 28 points and Holy Cross’s 16 points.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen opened their 2007-08 season in fine fashion with the non-team scoring Navy Invitational on Wednesday night in Annapolis. Navy won 10 of the 16 events against American, Catholic, Coppin State, Delaware State, Mount St. Mary’s and VCU.</p>

<p>Navy will be off during finals and much of the semester break before returning to action on Sunday, Jan. 6, with a dual-meet at Princeton.</p>

1608

<p>For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Selected Second in League Preseason Poll</p>

<p>CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Navy women’s track & field team has been picked to repeat its second-place finish at this year’s Patriot League Championship, it was announced in the league’s preseason poll on Wednesday night.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen, who return 26 letterwinners and four league champions from a year ago, are aiming for their first league title since the 2001 season. The Mids have performed well in each of the past-eight Patriot League Championships, as they have not finished below third at any time. Last season, Navy placed second in the league championship.</p>

<p>Bucknell was tabbed to win its seventh-straight league crown, as the Bison accumulated 92 points and 10 first-place ballots from the league’s coaches and sports information contacts. Navy collected the other six first-place votes and 88 points to land in a very close second.</p>

<p>Army came in third with its 76 points, followed by Lafayette’s 61 points, Lehigh’s 51 points, Colgate and Holy Cross’s 32 points and American’s 18 points.</p>

<p>Navy kicked off its 2007-08 indoor slate with a pair of dual-meet victories in Annapolis on Tuesday night. The Midshipmen defeated league foe American, 264-66, and Mount St. Mary’s, 246-118, to open the year with a 2-0 record. Navy has won 47-straight regular season dual-meets, spanning back to the end of the 2004-05 indoor season.</p>

<p>The Midshipmen will be off during final exams and the semester break before returning to action on Jan. 4 with the World Pole Vault Summit Championship in Reno, Nev., and the UMES Invitational in Princess Anne, Md.</p>

1609

<p>For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Wrestling Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773</p>

<p>Seven Mids Earn EIWA Ranking </p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Seven Midshipmen are among the second installment of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) rankings released Tuesday morning, including senior Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) and junior Scott Steele (Baltimore, Md.) who are the favorites in their respective weight classes.</p>

<p>Stolpinski is the reigning EIWA champion at 174 pounds and is ranked sixth in the country according to the last rankings list released on Dec. 4. The 2007 All-American owns a 13-3 record this year, including a 2-2 mark against nationally-ranked competition. He turned in a fifth-place performance in his last tournament, the highly-competitive Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Stolpinski dropped a tough 8-6 decision in the first tie-breaker against Michigan’s Steve Luke, who was ranked No. 3, in the semis, sending him to the consolation bracket where he was beaten by Nebraska’s Brandon Browne, ranked No. 10. Stolpinski, though, came back to take the fifth-place match against 11th-ranked John Dergo from Illinois.</p>

<p>Though 2007 NCAA Championship qualifier Ed Prendergast (St. Louis, Mo.) is back for his senior year, he has been beaten twice by Steele at the heavyweight division. Arguably a good problem to have, both Prendergast and Steele have been solid this season. Steele is undefeated in his nine matches, taking titles at the Eastern Michigan Open, as well as the Navy Classic, beating Prendergast for the title in both. Meanwhile, Prendergast, who is not ranked among the EIWA top six, boasts a 10-4 record and ranked 15th in the last NWCA rankings report. Steele was unable to compete at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational because of an illness, but Prendergast took the opportunity to compete in one of the nation’s elite tournaments. Prendergast won his first three matches, two by fall, before dropping a 4-2 decision to third-ranked Wade Sauer of Cal State Fullerton.</p>

<p>Three Midshipmen are currently ranked fourth, including freshman Bryce Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nev.) who is 13-4 at 149 pounds. Saddoris placed third at the Eastern Michigan Open, as well as the Navy Classic before posting a 3-2 record at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Unranked nationally, Saddoris picked up his first collegiate win over a nationally-ranked competitor when he turned in a 4-3 decision over Missouri’s Josh Wagner, ranked 10th, in the second round of the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.</p>

<p>Two-time NCAA qualifier Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.), ranked fourth at 133 pounds, is coming off an eighth-place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational where he produced a 3-3 record. Baker missed the opening tournament of the year, the Eastern Michigan Open, still mending from off-season surgery, but came back to place second at the Navy Classic in mid-November. He owns a 6-4 record this season.</p>

<p>Boasting a 7-2 record, 184-pounder Matt Parsons (Dunkirk, Md.) has gotten off to a solid start to his senior campaign. Ranked fourth in the EIWA, Parsons owns a four-match winning streak, including a pin in just 46 seconds over Bloomsburg’s Jesse Hasseman to win the Navy Classic title. He opened the year with a 3-2 record at the Eastern Michigan Open. </p>

<p>Navy’s final two wrestlers ranked are juniors Joel Ahern (Herkimer, N.Y.) and Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.), who are fifth at 157 and 197 pounds, respectively. Ahern owns a 5-1 record, but has been hampered by injuries this season. He missed the opening tournament after getting hurt in the Mids’ challenge matches, but came back to take second place at the Navy Classic. Ahern won his first two matches at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational before bowing out to injury.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Moyer continues to fight for some consistency on the mat. With an 8-6 record, Moyer has been unable to string together more than two wins in a tournament, but continues to improve. He placed fifth at the Navy Classic and turned in a 2-2 record at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.</p>

<p>Finally, Navy slipped one spot from second to third in the latest EIWA team rankings. Defending champion Cornell remains the top vote-getter, but it was Penn who leap-frogged from fourth to second, pushing Navy to the third spot.</p>

<h3>Go Navy</h3>

<p>Team Ranking (by vote of all EIWA Head Coaches)

  1. Cornell
  2. Penn
  3. Navy
  4. Army
  5. Harvard
  6. Columbia
  7. Bucknell
  8. Lehigh</p>

<p>Individual Ranking (by vote of EIWA Ranking Committee)
125

  1. Rollie Peterkin, Penn So

  2. Fernando Martinez, Army Sr

  3. Brandon Kinney, Columbia Sr

  4. Greg Hart, Bucknell So

  5. Jasen Borschoff, American So

  6. Tony Communale, Princeton Fr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>133

  1. Robbie Preston, Harvard Sr

  2. David Marble, Bucknell So

  3. Mike Grey, Cornell Fr

  4. Joe Baker, Navy Jr

  5. Whitt Dunning, Army Jr

  6. Rick Rappo, Penn Jr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>141

  1. Matt Kyler, Army So

  2. Steve Adamcsik, Rutgers Sr

  3. Kyle Borshoff, American So

  4. Corey Jantzen, Harvard Fr

  5. Sean Carr, ESU Sr

  6. Sal Tirico, Columbia Jr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>149

  1. JP O'Connor, Harvard So

  2. Cesar Grajales, Penn Jr

  3. Trevor Chinn, Lehigh Jr

  4. Bryce Saddoris, Navy Fr

  5. Adam Frey, Cornell Jr

  6. Kevin LeValley, Bucknell Fr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>157

  1. Jordan Leen, Cornell Sr

  2. Christian Snook, Army Sr

  3. Dave Nakesone, Lehigh Sr

  4. Derek Sickles, Columbia Jr

  5. Joel Ahern, Navy Jr

  6. Thomas Timothy, Penn Fr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>165

  1. Mike Cannon, American So

  2. Mack Lewnes, Cornell Fr

  3. Andy Rendos, Bucknell So

  4. Zach Shanaman, Penn Jr

  5. Andrew Flanagan, Harvard Jr

  6. Mike Galante, Lehigh So&lt;/p&gt;

<p>174

  1. Matt Stolpinski, Navy Sr

  2. Steve Anceravage, Cornell Sr

  3. Justin Herbert, Franklin & Marshall Jr

  4. Alex Caruso, Lehigh Fr

  5. Jeff Zannetti, Penn Sr

  6. Shane Riccio, Bucknell So&lt;/p&gt;

<p>184

  1. Louis Caputo, Harvard Jr

  2. David Craig, Lehigh So

  3. Lior Zamir, Penn Sr

  4. Matt Parsons, Navy Sr

  5. Scott Ferguson, Army Sr

  6. David Thompson, Bucknell Fr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>197

  1. Josh Glenn, American Sr

  2. Richard Starks, Army So

  3. Nick Sommerfield, Columbia Sr

  4. Dan Zander, Penn Jr

  5. Tyler Moyer, Navy Jr

  6. Lamar Brown, Rutgers Jr&lt;/p&gt;

<p>285

  1. Scott Steele, Navy Jr

  2. Zack Hammond, Cornell Sr

  3. Nathan Thobaben, Army Sr

  4. Levon Mock, Brown Sr

  5. George Hingson, Bucknell So

  6. Nico Somers, Franklin & Marshall J&lt;/p&gt;
1610

<p>Navy is preseason Patriot League favorite</p>

<p>For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007
Men’s Lacrosse Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773</p>

<p>Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Picks Navy as its Preseason Patriot League Favorite</p>

<p>BALTIMORE, Md. - Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook has picked reigning Patriot League champion Navy as its preseason favorite to win the 2008 Patriot League men’s lacrosse title. The Mids have won at least a share of the regular-season Patriot League crown every year since joining the league in 2004, while they have compiled a flawless 8-0 record in the Patriot League Tournament. Navy’s four-year title run in the Patriot League is the longest in league history since Army won the first five from 1991-95.</p>

<p>Despite taking a hit on the offensive side of the field with the graduation of midfielders Billy Looney, William Wallace and Tommy Wallin and attack Ian Dingman, Navy has earned the respect of its peers as one of the elite teams in the country who consistently fields a competitive team on a national level. </p>

<p>While the Midshipmen are the league favorite, Bucknell and Colgate are certainly in the mix as the No. 2 and 3 teams in the preseason rankings, respectively. Navy, Bucknell and Colgate all won 11 games last spring and all three are loaded with talent. One of the premiere defensive units in the country, Navy produced a 6-0 record a year ago and returns the bulk of its defense, including two-time All-American Jordan DiNola (Ballston Lake, N.Y.). Bucknell, meanwhile, features a potent offensive punch behind attack men Austin Winter and Joe Mele, while Colgate’s Brandon Corp on attack and Matt Lalli at midfield give the Raiders an edge on offense.</p>

<p>Falling in at No. 4 is Army, who produced a 6-9 record a year ago, including a 3-3 mark in conference play. The Mids defeated the Black Knights twice last spring, including a 12-1 victory in the opening round of the Patriot League Tournament held in Annapolis.</p>

<p>The final three spots in the poll include Lehigh, Holy Cross and Lafayette. Lehigh is the biggest question mark as the Mountain Hawks are under new leadership with All-American and Team USA player Kevin Cassese taking over the head coaching duties. Meanwhile, Holy Cross was perhaps the most improved team last spring, as head coach Adam Pascal led the Crusaders to a 6-8 overall record. However, the Crusaders continue to struggle to be competitive within the league, as they mustered just one win in six contests.</p>

<p>Navy’s season opener is slated for Feb. 9 against VMI at 12:00 pm. Meanwhile, the Mids open the Patriot League part of their schedule on March 8 when Navy travels to Easton, Pa. to face-off against Lafayette at 12:00 pm.</p>

<p>2008 Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook
Preseason Patriot League Poll
Rk. Team 2007 Record 2007 PL Record

  1. Navy 11-4 6-0
  2. Bucknell 11-4 4-2
  3. Colgate 11-5 5-1
  4. Army 6-9 3-3
  5. Lehigh 4-9 2-4
  6. Holy Cross 6-8 1-5
  7. Lafayette 1-12 0-6</p>
1611

<p>Overall Navy Sports Record: 133-53-6 (.708) </p>

<p>Men’s Basketball (3-7) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: at San Diego State (Monday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m. PST, San Diego, Calif., 1430 WNAV, Sirius Channel 147, CSTV); at Maryland-Eastern Shore (Saturday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m., Princess Anne, Md., WNAV, WFED) </p>

<p>Women’s Basketball (2-8) </p>

<p>Last Week: Lost to UMBC, 59-51 </p>

<p>This Week: at Marshall (Sunday, 1 p.m., Huntington, W.Va., 1430 WNAV); at San Diego State (Tuesday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m. PST, San Diego, Calif., 1430 WNAV) </p>

<p>Football (8-4) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: vs. Utah (Thursday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m. PST, San Diego, Calif., Navy Radio Network, ESPN0 </p>

<p>Rifle (3-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Finished second out of four teams at the President’s Trophy </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Squash (8-3) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Men’s Swimming & Diving (11-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Women’s Swimming & Diving (11-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Men’s Indoor Track & Field (0-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Competed at the non-team scoring Navy Invitational </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Women’s Indoor Track & Field (2-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Defeated American, 264-66; defeated Mt. St. Mary’s, 246-118 </p>

<p>This Week: Idle </p>

<p>Wrestling (0-0) </p>

<p>Last Week: Idle </p>

<p>This Week: at the Reno Tournament of Champions (Tuesday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. PST, Reno, Nev.)</p>

1612

<p>For Immediate Release
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>*The Navy pitcher/utility player is one of 224 preseason candidates for the nation’s top award *</p>

<p>LUBBOCK, Texas - Navy’s two-time All-American pitcher/utility player Mitch Harris (Sr./Mt. Holly, N.C.) is one of 224 candidates named to the 2008 Brooks Wallace Player-of-the-Year Award Watch List, it was recently announced by the College Baseball Foundation. </p>

<p>The Wallace Award is presented to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual induction festivities. The 2008 award banquet will be held July 3, at United Spirit Arena on the campus of Texas Tech University. </p>

<p>Last year’s Brooks Wallace award went to Vanderbilt pitcher, David Price. Price was the first overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft and is pitching in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The 2006 winner was standout pitcher/designated hitter Brad Lincoln of Houston. Nebraska’s Alex Gordon, currently with the Kansas City Royals, took home the 2005 trophy. The inaugural award was given in 2004 to Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton, who is now catching for the Oakland A’s. </p>

<p>This marks the second-straight year in which Harris has been tabbed as one of the preseason candidates for the nation’s highest honor in collegiate baseball. He is the first player in the Navy’s storied history to earn All-America honors twice in his career, as he was named a third-team utility player by Baseball America last spring and an ABCA/Rawlings third-team pitcher in 2006. </p>

<p>The product of Mt. Holly, N.C., concluded his junior season with an 8-5 record on the mound with a 2.14 ERA over 14 starts, spanning 88.2 innings. During that time, he struck out a Patriot League-record 119 batters and limited the opposition to a meager .181 batting average. The hard-throwing right-hander went at least five innings in all 14 outings, nine of which quality starts (6+ IP and 3- ER). He also struck out more batters than innings pitched in 13 of his 14 visits to the mound in 2007. </p>

<p>As a hitter, Harris batted .293 (51-for-174) on the year and led the team in doubles (10), triples (four), home runs (eight), RBI (47) and slugging (.534). His eight round-trippers were tops among all Patriot League hitters in 2007 and placed him third on the program’s single-season home run list. Against Holy Cross on March 31-April 1, he became the second Navy hitter in program history to belt a home run in three-consecutive games and the first to do so against Patriot League pitching. </p>

<p>Harris was selected Second-Team All-Patriot League as both a starting pitcher and a designated hitter last May, becoming the first player in school history to earn all-league accolades at two different positions within the same year. One month later, he became the first player in school history to earn ABCA all-region accolades multiple times during his career, as he was first-team selection in 2006 and a second-team member in 2007. </p>

<p>Last June in the MLB First-Year Player Draft, Harris was selected in the 24th round by the Atlanta Braves organization. He spent the summer playing for the Bourne Braves of the prestigious Cape Cod League, where he started in seven contests and boasted a 3.94 ERA in 29.2 innings with 25 strikeouts. </p>

<p>Harris and the Midshipmen will open the 2008 season on Feb. 22, when they head to the Service Academy Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn., to take on service academy foe Air Force at USA Stadium. Last year, Navy set a school record with 35 wins in a season and advanced to the Patriot League Tournament.</p>

1613

<p>Navy Women’s Basketball Game Information
Navy (2-8) at Marshall (4-4)
Sunday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m.
Huntington, W.Va. (Cam Henderson Center)
Live on WNAV-AM 1430 </p>

<p>Navy (2-8) at San Diego State (7-1)
Tuesday, Dec. 18, 10 p.m. EST
San Diego, Calif. (Cox Arena)
Live on WNAV-AM 1430</p>

<p>This Week’s Games
The Navy women’s basketball team will take to the road for a pair of games this week. The Mids will begin the road trip with a Sunday game at Marshall, then will make a cross-country flight to Southern California for a Tuesday night game at San Diego State. Sunday’s game against the Herd will be played at 1 p.m., with Tuesday’s game against the Aztecs slated to tip at 10 p.m. EST.</p>

<p>Broadcast Information
Both of Navy’s games this week will be carried live on WNAV-AM 1430 and <a href=“http://www.wnav.com(%5B/url%5D.)”>www.wnav.com(.)</a> The broadcasts will begin 15 minutes prior to tip with the Navy Pre-Game Show. Additionally, live statistics from both games can be found through the Gametracker feature available on <a href=“http://www.navysports.com(%5B/url%5D.)”>www.navysports.com(.)</a></p>

1614

<p>Navy Basketball Faces San Diego State on CSTV on Monday Night</p>

<p>Game Specifics
Date and Time Dec. 17, 2007 at 7:00 pm PST (10:00 EST)
Location San Diego, Calif. | Cox Arena (12,414)
Tickets 619-220-8497
Television CSTV (Tom Hart & Steve Lappas)
Video Streaming CSTV All-Access / [NavySports.com</a> - Official Athletic Site for Navy Athletics](<a href=“http://www.navysports.com%5DNavySports.com”>http://www.navysports.com)
Radio WNAV (1430 AM) (Bob Socci)
Webcast [1430</a> WNAV Your Hometown Station Annapolis, Maryland](<a href=“http://www.wnav.com%5D1430”>http://www.wnav.com)<br>
Gametracker [NavySports.com</a> - Official Athletic Site for Navy Athletics](<a href=“http://www.navysports.com%5DNavySports.com”>http://www.navysports.com)</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Following a two-week break for final exams, Navy returns to the court to face perhaps its stiffest challenge of the 2007-08 season, San Diego State. The game will be televised live nationally by College Sports Television (CSTV) with Tom Hart and Steve Lappas calling all the action. Bob Socci will host the Navy pregame show on WNAV (1430 AM), beginning at 9:45 pm (ET). The contest will also be aired by SIRIUS Channel 119. Navy enters the contest with a 3-7 record, while the Aztecs are 8-2.</p>

<p>MAKE IT A NAVY WEEK IN SAN DIEGO
It’s a week full of action for all Navy sports fans in San Diego, beginning with Monday’s men’s basketball game against San Diego State. On Tuesday, Dec. 18, the women’s team will take to the hardwood against the Aztecs for a 7:00 pm (PST) tip-off. On Wednesday (Dec. 19), the Naval Academy will be hosting a Poinsettia Bowl Pep Rally aboard the historic USS Midway on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. The pep rally is presented by AT&T and admission is free. Navy fans are encouraged to come out and meet the new and new head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Lastly, on Thursday (Dec. 20), the Navy football team will battle Utah in the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets are available for all the events, and Navy fans are encouraged to show their colors and support all the teams during the week!</p>

<p>SERIES HISTORY
This will be the first meeting in over 20 years and just the third all-time between the Mids and Aztecs. San Diego State has won both previous meetings, including an 88-81 decision on Jan. 3, 1984. The other contest was a 90-77 Aztec victory on Jan. 3, 1984.</p>

<p>NAVY VS. THE MOUNTAIN WEST
This will be the 32nd game all-time against a school from the Mountain West. However, 25 of those games have come against Air Force. It is the first time Navy has played a team from the Mountain West other than Air Force since battling Utah in the 1997 NCAA Tournament, a 75-61 Utes win. Ironically, the Navy football team plays Utah here in San Diego on Dec. 20 for the Poinsettia Bowl.</p>

<p>NAVY VS. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
This will be just the 11th game all-time against the state of California. The Mids are just 1-9 all-time against the state with the lone win coming in a 77-66 victory over Saint Mary’s on Jan. 7, 1984. Navy has since lost five straight games against California schools. Navy’s last contest againt a California school came on Dec. 28, 1996, an 85-68 loss to 21st-ranked Stanford.</p>

<p>WELCOME HOME, GREG
Navy senior captain Greg Sprink will be making a homecoming on Monday when he and his teammates battle San Diego State. Sprink hails from Cardiff by the Sea, Calif., just 25 miles north of San Diego. When asked the question in the preseason, “which team would you most like to play?”, Sprink’s answer was San Diego State. Last year, Sprink was named a San Diego Hall of Champions Star of the Month for January.</p>

<p>ON THIS DATE (DECEMBER 17)
Navy has played 13 times on December 17, posting a 6-7 record, winning two games in a row on the date.</p>

<p>ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE
San Diego State is off to an 8-2 start, which has matched its best start in its Division I era (since 1970-71). The Aztecs are, however, coming off a 69-64 loss to No. 24-ranked Saint Mary’s (Calif.) on Dec. 8. The Aztecs have been almost unbeatable at Cox Arena, sporting a 28-4 record in the facility in their last 32 games.</p>

<p>Head coach Steve Fisher, who won a national title with Michigan in 1989, has started eight different players this year and is getting solid contributions up and down the lineup. Junior forward Lorrenzo Wade leads the team with a 14.0 ppg average, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. He also paces the squad with 26 assists. Kyle Spain averages 13.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg and Kelvin Davis chips in 11.6 ppg and 3.1 rpg. The Aztecs started Wade (6-6), Spain (6-5), Billy White (6-8), Ryan Amoroso (6-8) and Richie Williams (5-10) against Saint Mary’s.</p>

<p>As a team, San Diego State is outscoring its foes by almost 10.0 ppg (71.6 to 61.9) and are shooting 47.4 percent from the field, good for 73rd nationally. The Aztecs are outrebounding their foes, 33.8 to 32.0, and are committing just 13.8 turnovers per game.</p>

<p>NAVY UPDATE
One game after recording its best offensive performance of the season in a 73-59 win over Towson, Navy may have had its worst offensive performance of the season in a 62-58 loss to Mount St. Mary’s on Dec. 3. The Mids shot just 32.7 percent from the field, including 18.2 percent (4-of-22) from beyond the arc and Navy never led in the loss. Navy recorded just eight assists on 18 made baskets and turned the ball over 16 times against the Mount. Meanwhile, the Mids were whistled for 25 fouls, which resulted in 35 free throw attempts for Mount St. Mary’s, including 28 in the decisive second half. Navy was outrebounded, 51-37, including a 19-8 difference on the offensive glass. Greg Sprink, Kaleo Kina and Chris Harris combined for 47 of the 58 points.</p>

<p>As a team, Navy is shooting a frigid 39.7 percent from the field and just 31.0 percent from beyond the arc. The Mids are getting outrebounded by five boards a game (42.0 t0 37.0). Navy is winning the turnover battle, 18.6 to 19.8, but that advantage is being offset by foul problems for the Mids. Navy has been whistled for 233 fouls, resulting in 299 free throw attempts already for its opponents. Opponents have made 201 free throws, while Navy has attempted just 195.</p>

<p>Sprink continues to lead a balanced Navy attack with a 17.3 ppg average. He is adding 5.1 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.3 spg. Kina is averaging a career-best 10.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3.3 apg, while Harris and Adam Teague contribute 8.6 ppg and 8.5 ppg, respectively. Eight players are averaging at least 4.6 ppg. Teague leads the team in rebounding (5.3 rpg), while Mark Veazey paces the squad in blocked shots (1.5 bpg).</p>

<p>MOUNT ST. MARY’S LEFTOVERS
• Navy lost to Mount St. Mary’s, despite holding the Mount to just 27.9 percent shooting from the field. The percentage was the lowest for a Navy foe since Army shot 25.6 percent on Feb. 28, 2004.
• Mount St. Mary’s went just 4-of-26 (.154) in the second half and its last field goal came with 7:19 to play in the contest. The Mount’s last 13 points came from the free throw line.
• The Mount’s 15.4 percent in the second half was the lowest for a Navy opponent since Lehigh shot just 12.1 percent (4-of-33) on Jan. 23, 1999.
• Mount St. Mary’s led 13-0 at the start of the game. The Mount started the game 5-of-12 in the opening five minutes, but went just 12-of-49 the rest of the way.
• Greg Sprink went over 1,300 career points in the loss.
• Navy went 0-of-7 from behind the arc in the first half. It marked the first time that Navy didn’t make a three-pointer in a half since Feb. 1, 2006, against Holy Cross.
• Navy has now held four of its last five opponents under their scoring averages and field goal percentages entering their respective games.
• With the 23-15 bench scoring advantage, Navy’s bench has outscored its opponents’ bench in all 10 games this year.
• Navy recorded season lows in points (58), field goals made (18), three-pointers made (4) and assists (8) against Mount St. Mary’s.</p>

1615

<p>[Idle</a> Mids pleased with basketball progress - Navy Sports - (HometownAnnapolis.com)](<a href=“http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/12_14-07/NAS]Idle”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette)</p>

<p>Lange says quad on target despite 3-7 mark</p>

<p>

</p>

1616

<p>Barnes Wins Inaugural Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for Men’s Soccer</p>

<p>CARY, N.C. - A tremendous leader and one of America’s brightest young collegians, Evan Barnes of the United States Naval Academy has been selected as the men’s soccer recipient of the 2007 Senior CLASS Award. The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of coaches, media and fans, is presented to the outstanding NCAA Division I senior student-athlete in men’s soccer.</p>

<p>Lowe’s, an official corporate sponsor of the NCAA®, will honor the senior goalkeeper, who becomes the first-ever winner in the new men’s soccer division of the award, with an on-field trophy presentation today during the NCAA® Men’s College Cup® in Cary, NC.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, Lowe’s announced the addition of men’s and women’s soccer to the award program, bringing the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award to a total of eight NCAA® sports. The award was originally launched in 2001 with basketball. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award has grown into the nation’s premier tribute to college seniors.</p>

<p>The award identifies personal qualities that define a complete student-athlete, with criteria including excellence in the classroom, character and community, as well as competition in sports.</p>

<p>“First, I want to thank Lowe’s and everyone involved for creating this award recognizing student-athletes in NCAA soccer,” Barnes said. “I was flattered to even be considered for the award and I am truly honored to be selected from a group of such accomplished individuals and distinguished sports programs. Without the support of my family, friends, teammates and coaches, none of this would be possible. I am proud to represent them as well as the Naval Academy soccer program.”</p>

<p>Barnes, who was recently named third team Academic All-America and was a finalist for a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, posted a 1.39 GAA and a .705 save percentage during his senior season. He recorded 31 saves and three shutouts and was named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 4, after leading Navy to a pair of season-opening shutouts.</p>

<p>In the classroom, Barnes is an Honors Systems Engineering major with a 3.88 overall GPA and has posted a 4.0 every semester he has been on the soccer team. He is chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Leadership Conference where he is responsible for the planning and execution of the nation’s premier undergraduate leadership conference, a four-day event involving over 250 participants from more than 26 colleges and universities.</p>

<p>In the community, Barnes is involved with a broad spectrum of fascinating projects that are making an impact from campus to other countries. His global reach came on a project called Blood: Water Mission, an effort to provide clean water for people in Africa, to promote healthier communities and to protect individuals infected with AIDS from deadly water parasites and bacteria. Barnes has also volunteered extensively at The Center of Ohio Science and Industry (COSI), teaching basic scientific principles to elementary and middle school students. He has also dedicated his time to his fellow students as the founder of a company peer tutor program. Through the tutor program, Barnes assigned mentors to individuals struggling academically and kept track of all meetings and academic progress.</p>

<p>“It has been an absolute honor for the coaching staff to work with a gentleman such as Evan Barnes,” said Rich Miranda, men’s soccer coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. “His commitment, determination and passion set the standard for student-athletes at any level. In addition, his leadership and desire to understand, learn and seek self improvement is what embodies the Naval Academy student-athlete and ultimately contributed to his on-going success. We are very proud he is a part of our soccer program. Evan represents what academics and athletics is all about.”</p>

<p>“Lowe’s is extremely pleased to honor student-athletes who work hard to achieve goals in every aspect of life,” said Bob Gfeller, SVP of Marketing and Advertising at Lowe’s. “Evan Barnes has displayed a tremendous amount of dedication and leadership in pursuing excellence during his athletic and academic career. His desire to utilize his skills to make an impact on other people is very evident. He is an outstanding choice for the first ever Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner in men’s soccer.”</p>

<p>The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award also names an All-Senior All-America Team based on voting results of the finalists. Joining Barnes on the 2007 First Team are: Kevin Forrest of the University of Washington, Trini Gomez of Loyola Marymount University, Julius James of the University of Connecticut and Tim Jepson of Duke University. The Second Team consists of: Stephen King of the University of Maryland, Peter Lowry of Santa Clara University, Brad Peetoom of Syracuse University, Julian Valentin of Wake Forest University and Mike Zaher of UCLA</p>

<p>Sportscaster Dick Enberg, Honorary Chairman of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, first conceived the idea of an award for seniors in 2001 in response to the growing trend of men’s basketball players leaving school early for the NBA.</p>

<p>Lowe’s has expanded the Senior CLASS Award program this year to include NCAA Division I men’s hockey, men’s lacrosse, baseball and softball in addition to men’s and women’s basketball and now men’s and women’s soccer. The winner in each sport is announced at the respective NCAA Championship events.</p>

<p>“Recognizing the many achievements of student-athletes is a goal the NCAA proudly shares with our corporate partner Lowe’s,” said Greg Shaheen, NCAA Senior Vice President for Basketball and Business Strategies. "The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award places a spotlight on the quality attributes of our future student-athlete graduates. The NCAA is proud to honor student-athlete leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to excel on the field of competition while they earn their degrees. "</p>

<p>ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: classroom, community, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards that a senior season can bring. For more information, visit [Lowe’s</a> Senior CLASS Award](<a href=“http://www.seniorclassaward.com%5DLowe’s”>http://www.seniorclassaward.com).</p>

<p>ABOUT LOWE’S
With fiscal year 2006 sales of $46.9 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 13 million customers a week at more than 1,425 home improvement stores in 49 states. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit [Lowe’s</a> Home Improvement: Buy Kitchen Cabinets, Paint, Appliances & Flooring](<a href=“http://www.Lowes.com%5DLowe’s”>http://www.Lowes.com).</p>

1617

<p>Michael Arace commentary: Navy’s Barnes always up to challenge
Saturday, December 15, 2007 3:07 AM
By Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH</p>

<p>Evan Barnes came upon a bend in Rt. 33 south and nodded off for a second, his last allotment of peace for the next six months. Barnes’ car lolled to the left and went straight into a cement block, which was in the median holding up a highway sign. He was 10 miles from making it home to Dublin.</p>

<p>Barnes was 18 years old, and in possession of a Columbus Academy diploma for two weeks, when he learned a pointed lesson in durability. Cement has been around, in one form or another, for eons. It has a history of arrogance. Barnes was going approximately 70 mph prior to impact.</p>

<p>When Barnes awoke, rescue workers were using the Jaws of Life to pry him from the wreck. The exercise took more than an hour. A state trooper asked Barnes to move – try turning the key in the ignition, anything – and Barnes was unable to cooperate. Once extricated, he was taken to a hospital in a helicopter.</p>

<p>“It was June 14, 2003, and I’ll never forget the date as long as I live,” Barnes said. “5:30 p.m.”</p>

<p>Barnes was lucky. He had a broken arm, a concussion, a sprained ankle and the mother of all hip pointers. He would spend six months in physical therapy. But he was alive.</p>

<p>The only major problem was, his life plans were scuttled.</p>

<p>In August of that year, Barnes was due to report to the United States Naval Academy for Plebe Summer, a freshman indoctrination program designed to whip civilians into midshipmen. “Whip” is the operative word. Plebe Summer is six weeks of physical and mental torture. Barnes was denied the fun, because nobody can do Plebe Summer while in possession of the mother of all hip pointers. His appointment was put on hold, and potentially nixed.</p>

<p>So, what did Barnes do? He went skydiving.</p>

<p>“My mom wasn’t happy,” Barnes said. “She said, ‘You almost got killed in a car accident. What are you doing jumping out of an airplane?’ I’m just not afraid to give anything a try. Challenge is always fun. Even if you don’t succeed, you learn something.”</p>

<p>Some might ask, “If you don’t succeed at skydiving, aren’t you finished learning?” But Barnes doesn’t see things that way.</p>

<p>“My entire life, I’ve always had a very competitive nature,” Barnes said. “It came out a lot more after the accident. I guess there’s a safe route, but I went the other way. I became more appreciative of opportunities.”</p>

<p>Barnes enrolled at Ohio State and kept sending fresh X-rays to the Naval Academy. An accomplished high school goaltender, he played on a club soccer team. Always an ace student, he kept up his grades. He had the “regular college experience” that midshipmen miss, and he loved it – but he never gave up on his goal. He had one year to prove he was fit, and he proved it.</p>

<p>Not four years later, Barnes is the winner of the senior CLASS award for NCAA men’s soccer. The award is based on personal qualities that define a student-athlete. Is Barnes deserving? Just a bit. He used to volunteer at COSI, where he taught basic science principles to elementary and middle-school students. He raises funds for Blood: Water Mission, an effort to provide clean water for people in Africa. His grade-point average is 3.88, with a major in honors systems engineering, and Navy is as rigorous as Teddy Roosevelt. Oh, and Barnes walked on to the Midshipmen soccer team, and this season he had a 3-1-1 record with a .074 goals-against average.</p>

<p>Last night, before Ohio State played Massachusetts in the semifinals of the College Cup in Cary, N.C., Barnes received his CLASS award. What fates were at work? Barnes sees his blood as flecked with scarlet and gray. He played on a youth team with fellow Dubliner Eric Brunner, who anchors the Buckeyes’ stingy defense and was another CLASS finalist. There are other connections, as well.</p>

<p>“It’s interesting to have these two paths converge,” Barnes said. “Ohio State was a major part of my life, and here they are right in front of me, and this major honor. What an interesting twist. What a humbling experience.”</p>

<p>Barnes is set to graduate in the spring, and then he’ll head to Europe for graduate school. Once he gets his master’s degree, he’ll report to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training. He’s going to fly fighter jets or attack helicopters for the Marines. Ever see the guns on an FA-18 Hornet or an AH-1W Super Cobra? Cement doesn’t stand a chance.</p>

1618

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>Late Run Gives Marshall Victory Over Navy</p>

<p>HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Navy women’s basketball team overcame several sizeable deficits to Marshall Sunday afternoon, but a late 15-2 run by the Thundering Herd was too much to overcome in 70-58 loss at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, W.Va.</p>

<p>The Mids (2-9) trailed by 12 points early in the first half before tying the game at 22-22 and eventually taking a 28-26 lead with just under five minutes left in the half. The Herd (6-4), however, closed the half on a 10-1 run to take a 36-29 lead at intermission.</p>

<p>Marshall again opened up a 12-point lead at 41-29 just three minutes into the second half, but a K.C. Gordon (So., Vienna, Va.) three-pointer tied the game at 47-47 midway through the second half. This time, the Herd responded with the aforementioned 15-2 run to pull away from the Mids for good.</p>

<p>“The game really was a rollercoaster,” said Navy assistant coach Matt Dempsey. “Marshall would get the lead, we would come back, they pulled ahead again and we would answer.”</p>

<p>Navy turned the ball over 28 times in the game, while forcing Marshall into 18 turnovers. The second half, however, saw the Mids commit 14 turnovers to just seven for the Herd. </p>

<p>The Mids scored most of their points from the outside, drilling eight three-point field goals in the game, while Marshall did most of its damage inside by scoring 42 of its points in the paint. </p>

<p>Gordon scored 16 points to pace all players in the game, while teammate Cassie Consedine (Fr., Bartlesville, Okla.) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds. Marshall had four players score in double figures, with Kizzy Hart tallying a team-high 15 points.</p>

<p>Navy will now travel to California to play Tuesday night at San Diego State. The game between the Mids and the Aztecs is slated to tip at 10 p.m. EST and will be carried live on WNAV-AM 1430.</p>

1619

<p>[North</a> County Times - College Sports - A role player at El Camino, Sprink returns as Navy leader](<a href=“North County”>North County)</p>

<p>

</p>

1620

<p>Picture this strategy adjustment confronting San Diego State?s men?s basketball team while playing Navy in a game aboard an aircraft carrier docked in San Diego Harbor.</p>

<p>SDSU?s Richie Williams pulls up for a jumper, but a shift in the wind turns what would have been a swish of the nets into a shot that bounces long off the rim.</p>

<p>At the other end, Navy?s Greg Sprink, the team captain and an alumnus of El Camino High in Oceanside, takes the ball and pushes it up court. He senses the wind n he has experience from playing on the USS Wasp during summer cruises n compensates and buries the three-pointer.</p>

<p>Talk about your halftime adjustments.</p>

<p>“A game like that would be outstanding,” said Sprink, a 6-foot-5, 220-pounder senior that leads Navy with 17.5 points per game. “It?s right up our alley. For the players, it would be an opportunity of a lifetime. I?m sure a lot of people would want to see a game like that.”</p>

<p>San Diego, a Navy town, already couldn?t seem to be more hospitable than it is with this week?s schedule of Naval Academy sports in town.</p>

<p>First, Navy?s men?s and women?s basketball teams play San Diego State at Cox Arena, with the men?s game Monday night and the women playing Tuesday night.</p>

<p>Then, the Navy football team faces Utah Thursday night in the third annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.</p>

<p>But imagine a basketball game aboard an aircraft carrier, with proceeds benefiting Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. That would be a way to add to a special week.</p>

<p>San Diego Bowl Game Association Executive President Bruce Binkowski, who first approached SDSU about adding Navy basketball games to this week?s schedule along with Navy?s anticipated appearance in the Poinsettia Bowl, explored the possibility of playing a game on the Midway, the historic aircraft carrier now serving duty as a museum in San Diego Harbor.</p>

<p>But there were too many obstacles to make such an event happen, at least in the short term.</p>

<p>Playing on the retired Midway overcomes the obstacle of the Department of Navy declining to reserve an active aircraft carrier for a sporting event in a time of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.</p>

<p>But the Midway, a World War II-era carrier, it isn?t as large as modern carriers. The fire marshal would limit attendance on the Midway and that would mean TV money would be needed to overcome costs.</p>

<p>But still, it?s a great idea, with the only known precedence a 1967 Harlem Globetrotters game aboard the USS Enterprise.</p>

<p>“We set up a court last summer when I was on a cruise with the USS Wasp,” Sprink said. "It was definitely a great experience. I think a game like that would be a great morale boost for a lot of young sailors and marines who serve on aircraft carriers. It would give them recognition and credit for what they do for our country. "</p>

<p>– TOM SHANAHAN</p>