Navy Sports

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:43pm

Ken McMillan
By Ken Mcmillan
Times Herald-Record
January 09, 2008

The Patriot League still flies under the radar for most observers of men’s college basketball, but the Division I circuit is enjoying its greatest success since its creation in 1990-91.

Heading into last night’s play, the league had compiled a 59-51 record in non-conference games with six contests remaining. The only other winning record by the league was in 2000-01 (54-53). The eight schools had a 60-60 record last season, the high-water mark for non-league wins.

Army vs. Patriot League

Defending champion Holy Cross led the way with nine wins. Colgate’s eight non-conference Division I wins is the most for the Raiders since 1992-93. Army carried a 7-6 mark into last night’s game at Presbyterian.

The league owns a winning record against six Division I conferences or groups: America East (9-3), Ivy (8-6), independents (7-0), Atlantic Sun (3-0), Mid-Eastern (3-2), Big South and Big West (both 1-0).

Here’s a look at how things shape up as conference play kicks into high gear:

Familiar faces

The eight coaches in the Patriot League have a combined 106 seasons as head coaches and 64 seasons in league play. Three coaches have surpassed 300 career victories: Army’s Jim Crews is 336-319; Bucknell’s Pat Flannery is 323-209; and, Holy Cross’ Ralph Willard is 312-216.

Crews leads with 23 seasons, with Lehigh’s Brett Reed (the lone rookie) and Navy’s Billy Lange (six seasons) serving the least time.

Willard has four league titles and Lafayette’s Fran O’Hanlon and Flannery both have two.

Top two

How important is it to finish atop the league standings? The top two seeds have met in the tourney final for the past eight years. The top seed has won the tournament in 13 of 17 years.

Preseason stars

The five choices for the Patriot League preseason all-star team are living up to expectations. Army senior guard Jarell Brown has bumped his scoring average by four points to a league-leading 20.8. Navy senior guard Greg Sprink has inched his average up to 19.1. Holy Cross senior center Tim Clifford has raised his average by 4.5 points to 17.2. Bucknell senior guard John Griffin ranks 10th in scoring with 12.5 points. Lehigh sophomore guard Marquis Hall ranks 11th with 12.3, a shade under his freshman output.

Brown, Sprink and Clifford were second-team postseason all-stars. Hall made the all-rookie team.

Military men leading way

The top two active scorers in the Patriot League both play at military academies. Navy’s Greg Sprink has 1,398 points and ranks 23rd in league history. Army’s Jarell Brown has 1,147 and ranks 40th.

If both players maintain their current averages and play one quarterfinal, Sprink will finish eighth on the all-time list (1,684), and Brown will finish 21st (1,478).

Chris Spatola is the only Army player to lead the league in scoring (2000-01 and 2001-02). No Navy player has won the scoring title.

Stepping up

Junior Andrew Brown of Lafayette ranks fourth in scoring, raising his average from 10.4 to 16.5 points. Guard Garrison Carr of American has quadrupled his production, going from 3.8 points as a sophomore to a team-leading 15.5 his minutes have jumped from 11 to 33. Derrick Mercer of American ranks seventh in scoring, upping his average from 9.4 to 14.9.

More big scoring jumps: Army’s Josh Miller from 3.7 to 9.1; Bucknell’s Patrick Behan from 1.7 to 9.1; Bucknell’s Justin Castleberry from 5.3 to 11.6; Holy Cross’ Colin Cunningham from 1.9 to 9.8; Lafayette’s Michael Gruner from 0.8 to 7.5; Navy’s Chris Harris from 3.5 to 11.3.

Streaking

Bucknell owns an 11-game win streak in league play the Bison added two playoff wins before falling to Holy Cross in the title game. Last season, American won its last four games and Holy Cross won its last three.

Home for the playoffs

The Patriot League women will hold their tournament at West Point’s Christl Arena on March 8-9. For the second year in a row, the men will play their quarterfinal (March 5) and semifinal (March 9) games at the higher seeds.

Home-court advantage

Holy Cross has won 23 consecutive games in its Hart Center.

Bracket busting

Bucknell and Holy Cross will both participate in the ESPN “BracketBuster” series on Feb. 22-23. In last season’s event, Bucknell beat Towson, Holy Cross lost at Hofstra and Colgate lost at Marist.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:44pm

Game Specifics
Date and Tip Time Jan. 11, 2007 at 7:00 pm EST
Location Lewisburg, Pa. | Sojka Pavilion (4,000
Television ESPNU
TV Talent Bob Socci (pxp) and John Feinstein (color)
Video Streaming None
Radio WNAV (1430 AM) | WFED (1050 AM)
SIRIUS Channel 110
Radio Talent Pete Medhurst
Webcast [1430</a> WNAV Your Hometown Station Annapolis, Maryland](<a href=“http://www.wnav.com%5D1430”>http://www.wnav.com) | [FederalNewsRadio</a> - WFED: Home Page](<a href=“http://www.federalnewsradio.com%5DFederalNewsRadio”>http://www.federalnewsradio.com) 
Gametracker None

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy men’s basketball team begins its “second season” on Friday night as it travels to two-time defending Patriot League regular-season champion, Bucknell, for a Friday night contest beginning at 7:00 pm. The game will be aired nationally by ESPNU with Bob Socci and noted author John Feinstein handling the call.

On the airwaves, Pete Medhurst will provide play-by-play with the Navy basketball pregame show, beginning at 6:45 pm on WNAV (1430 AM) and WFED (1050 AM), as well as on SIRIUS Channel 110. WNAV and WFED provide online audio at wnav.com and federalnewsradio.com, respectively.

Video streaming of the contest will not be offered as part of ESPNU’s contract with the Patriot League.

MIDS ENTER PATRIOT LEAGUE PLAY ON HIGH NOTE, WINNING FOUR STRAIGHT
Navy rounded out its non-conference slate last Saturday night, with a defensive-minded 73-55 win over Longwood. The win was its fourth in a row, giving the Mids a four-game winning streak for the first time since late in the 2000-01 season. A win on Friday night would give Navy its first five-game winning streak since Jan. 23 - March 5, 2000, when the Mids rattled off 13 wins in a row, en route to a Patriot League regular-season title.

During the Mids’ four-game winning streak, Navy has won games by 24, 2, 29 and 18 points and averaged 81.5 ppg while shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range.

However, it has been the Navy defense that has grabbed the headlines. Navy has limited foes to 63.5 ppg and to shoot just 36.3 percent from the field. Opponents have just 44 assists (11.0 per game), and have turned the ball over 74 times (18.5 per game) in the last four outings. The Mids held NJIT and Longwood to just 55 points, matching the season low allowed by Navy.

The leaders of the charge is Navy’s dynamic backcourt trio of Greg Sprink, Kaleo Kina and Chris Harris. The trio has scored 234 combined points (58.5 ppg) during the last four games, while shooting 75-of-161 (.466) from the field, including 32-of-75 (.427) from three-point range. Sprink has averaged 22.0 ppg and 8.5 rpg during the stretch, while Kina and Harris chip in at 21.0 ppg and 15.5 ppg, respectively. The trio has made 32 of Navy’s 41 three-point baskets during the current streak.

For the season, Navy is averaging 74.3 ppg while giving up 71.6. The Mids are shooting 42.4 percent from the field, while foes are shooting 41.0 percent. Despite playing the fastest pace in the league, Navy has allowed just two of the last seven teams (San Diego State and St. Francis College) to score more than 70 points in a game. Opponents are outrebounding the Mids, 40.7 to 36.5, but Navy counters that by forcing 19.3 turnovers per game.

ABOUT BUCKNELL
Hit hard by graduation a year ago, Bucknell is hoping that the start of Patriot League play can reverse this year’s fortunes.The Bison have opened the season with a 5-9 record, already matching the most losses for Bucknell in a season since the 2003-04 season. However, several of the losses have been to teams such as Villanova, Wake Forest, Ohio and Drexel. The Bison also own an impressive 88-75 win over Cornell on Dec. 19.

As a team, Bucknell ranks last in the Patriot League in scoring offense (59.5 ppg), scoring margin (-3.1) field goal percentage (.399), and three-point percentage (.318) and is sixth in rebounding margin at -2.9 per game. However, Bucknell’s trademark defense is still there, leading the league in field goal percentage defense (.405) and ranking third in scoring defense (62.6).

Leading the way offensively in preseason all-Patriot League member John Griffin at 12.5 ppg. However, Griffin has struggled with his shot making just 32-of-102 three-point attempts (.314). Guard Justin Castleberry is next at 11.6 ppg, and is shooting 38.7 percent (29-of-75) from three-point range. Freshman Todd O’Brien leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and is second in the Patriot League in blocked shots (1.93 bpg), despite playing just 18.5 mpg. Griffin paces the squad with 42 assists, while Castleberry has 18 steals.

Bucknell Projected Starters (2007-08 Stats)
Pos.

No.
Name 
Ht.

Wt.

Year
Stats / Notes
G

10
Justin Castleberry 
6-1

198

Jr.
11.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.3 apg
G

11
John Griffin 
6-1

185

Sr.
12.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.0 apg
F

15
Stephen Tyree 
6-3

181

So.
4.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg
F

21
G.W. Boon 
6-4

211

Fr.
5.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg
C

42
Josh Linthicum 
6-11

258

Jr.
6.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg

Navy Projected Starters (2007-08 Stats)
Pos.

No.
Name 
Ht.

Wt.

Year
Stats / Notes
G

3
Greg Sprink 
6-5

220

Sr.
19.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg
G

5
Chris Harris 
6-2

175

So.
11.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.2 apg
G

15
Romeo Garcia 
6-4

202

Fr.
3.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
G

24
Kaleo Kina 
6-4

210

Jr.
13.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 apg
C

44
Mark Veazey 
6-10

215

Fr.
4.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.2 bpg

THE SERIES
Navy leads the overall series with Bucknell, 29-23, but is just 1-9 in the last 10 meetings. Bucknell swept the season series a year ago, 3-0, including a 62-43 decision in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals. Navy has lost six in a row in the series, and hasn’t won in Lewisburg since a 71-58 victory on Feb. 3, 2001, a span of seven games. The Mids are just 3-17 against Bucknell in Lewisburg and are 0-7 in Sojka Pavilion since its opening in 2002-03.

ROAD WARRIORS
Navy will wrap up its non-conference road schedule on Saturday night at St. Francis (N.Y.) College. The Mids will have played nine of their 13 games away from Annapolis, posting a 2-6 record so far away from home. Including this trip over the weekend, Navy’s travels will have taken them a total of 10,309.5 miles, via bus and airplane.
During the first 16 days of the season (Nov. 8-23), Navy players, coaches and staff slept in their own beds a total of eight of the 16 nights.

RO GIVING MIDS A DEFENSIVE BOOST
Since Romeo Garcia entered the starting lineup in the fifth game of the year, Navy’s defensive numbers have gotten progressively better. In the last 11 games, Garcia has helped the Navy defense to allow foes to average just 67.8 ppg while shooting 39.2 percent.

Without Garcia in the starting lineup during the first four games of the year, opponents averaged 82.0 ppg and shot 45.7 percent from the field.

His impact has never been more evident than in the last two games. In the win over NJIT, the Highlanders’ big man Nesho Milosevic torched the Mids for 19 points and six rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting in the first half. Garcia was given the task of guarding Milosevic in the second half, and despite being six inches shorter and 45 pounds lighter, he held Milosevic to six points (2-of-3 shooting) and four rebounds.

Then in the win over Longwood, he held the Lancers’ top scorer, Kirk Williams, to 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting, while hounding him into five turnovers before fouling out. Williams had scored 21 points in Longwood’s previous game, a loss at Boston College.

Garcia scored just two points with two assists against Longwood, but grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds with two blocked shots. The performance followed a 10-point, four-rebound, two-blocked shot performance against NJIT.

Garcia now ranks 13th in the Patriot League in blocked shots with eight in 13 games. He has four blocks combined in the last two games, and had a career-best three against Seton Hall earlier in the year. At 6-4, Garcia is the shortest player to be ranked on the list.

Coupled with fellow classmate Mark Veazey, the duo is moving up the charts of the Navy freshman blocked shot list. Veazey is on a pace that could put him at the top of the chart.

FINDING THE RANGE
After slumping for a good part of November, the Navy offensive attack has turned it on entering Patriot League play. The Mids are 5-2 in their last seven games, falling to Northeast Conference contender Mount St. Mary’s and San Diego State during the current stretch.

After opening the year shooting just 39.2 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from three-point range while averaging 72.5 ppg in the first eight games, Navy’s offense has clicked in the last seven games. During the current seven-game stretch, Navy is shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range while averaging 76.3 ppg.

Perhaps the most definitive statistic in the turnaround is the points per possession statistic. In the first eight games, Navy averaged just 0.91 points per possession, while allowing 0.96. However, in the last seven games, Navy is scoring 1.04 points per possession, while giving up 0.89. A score of 1.00 usually indicates success.

FOES HAVE TOUGH TIME AGAINST NAVY’S D
Even without the offense clicking earlier this year, the Mids still were in most of their games because of their defense. Now that the offense has gotten on track, the results have been positive.

Navy ranks 10th in the country (as of Jan. 7 morning) in three-point percentage defense.

In addition, Navy ranks first in the Patriot League in defensive points per possession (0.92) and turnovers forced per game (18.9). The turnovers forced per game average is 20th in the country (as on Jan. 7).

NAVY THREESOME GETTING THE JOB DONE
Navy’s trio of Greg Sprink, Kaleo Kina and Chris Harris have been a big reason why Navy is on a resurgent streak. Over the last seven games (5-2), the trio is averaging 52.3 ppg (Sprink - 19.1, Kina - 18.3, Harris - 14.9), while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 40.7 from long distance. Compare that to the first eight games (2-6) of the season, when the trio averaged just 36.9 ppg and shot just 34.4 percent from the field, including 27.6 percent from the field.

The trio has been dangerously close in the last two games to turning in a rare feat at Navy. Just three times before, and none since the dynamic trio of David Robinson, Vernon Butler and Kylor Whitaker in 1985, has three Navy players scored 20 or more points in the same game. The trio of Sprink, Kina and Harris scored 19, 23 and 18, respectively against NJIT, then added 21, 18 and 18 point in the win over Longwood.

Lastly, one of the three have led the team in scoring in every game but one (UTSA - Clif Colbert) this year.

SHARPSHOOTERS HITTING THE MARK
Navy has now shot over 49.0 percent in five of its last seven games, including a season-best 55.6 percent in the 84-55 win over NJIT. The Mids struggled in the first half against Longwood, connecting on just 24.1 percent of their shots, but rebounded to shoot 50.0 percent in the second half en route to the 73-55 victory.

A trademark of Billy Lange-coached teams at Navy has been their ability to shoot the long ball. This year’s team has demonstrated that ability in the last seven games, connecting on 68-of-170 three-point bombs for a 40.0 three-point percentage. The Mids have made at least 10 three-pointers in three of the seven games, including 15 in a loss at San Diego State.

Chris Harris became the fourth different active player (joining Greg Sprink, Kaleo Kina and Adam Teague) as players to have made six three-pointers in a game. He connected on six treys against San Diego State.

As a team, Navy has made at least three three-pointers in 89 straight games and in 100-of-101 games under Billy Lange. The Mids have made at least eight three in 49 games under Lange and have reached double figures in three pointers 24 different times, posting a 14-10 record in those games. In games this year, when making double-digit three-pointers, Navy is 3-2, with the losses coming against Seton Hall and San Diego State.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:45pm

No. 22 Navy plays host to No. 21 Maryland

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008
Wrestling Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773

In-State Wrestling Rivalry Pits No. 22 Navy vs. No. 21 Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In what will likely be one of the most competitive matches between the two programs in recent memory, the 22nd-ranked Navy wrestling team will play host to No. 21 Maryland Thursday night at Halsey Field House in Annapolis. The 7:00 pm dual will feature five wrestlers currently ranked among the nation’s top 20 in what has been a highly-anticipated matchup this season.

“Maryland is solid from top to bottom,” said eighth-year Navy head coach Bruce Burnett, who last year extended his winning streak to eight in a row and the Mids’ overall winning streak to 10 straight. “Pat has worked hard to make his program stronger and I think certainly we’ve got our work cut out for us Thursday.”

Burnett’s lone gauge of how good Maryland really is was when both programs competed at the Southern Scuffle at the end of December. The Terrapins turned in a top-five finish with 93.5 points, just a half point behind Cornell. Meanwhile, Navy placed five wrestlers, producing a ninth-place finish with 79.5 points.

“They are a talented team,” added Burnett. "They are sort of the who’s who of wrestling because they have a bunch of top three recruits.

“We are certainly capable of winning this match, but we need to stay focused and steal those one-point matches that have gone against us throughout the season.”

The Midshipmen opened the dual portion of their schedule last Saturday when they traveled to South Grand Prairie, Texas, to take part in the Lone Star Duals. Navy dropped a 28-6 decision to 19th-ranked Oklahoma and a 23-12 match to No. 14 Wisconsin. The Mids’ lone win was against EIWA foe Columbia, beating the Lions, 31-9. Eight of Navy’s 18 losses in the three matches were by two points or less.

The Mids have been led this season by returning NCAA Tournament qualifiers Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) (174 pounds), Ed Prendergast (St. Louis, Mo.) (Heavyweight) and Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.) (133 pounds). Stolpinski, ranked ninth in last week’s poll, has been among the nation’s top 10 the entire season. Heading into the Maryland match, Stolpinski owns a 25-6 record and is coming off a 3-0 record at last weekend’s Lone Star Duals. With 124 wins during his four-year career, he stands third in all-time wins at the Academy, trailing record holder Greg Gingeleskie (1996-99) by just three.

Prendergast also owns an impressive 21-4 record and has emerged as the Mids’ top heavyweight. Early in the season, Prendergast was pushed by teammate Scott Steele, who defeated him twice for the Eastern Michigan and Navy Classic titles. However, in recent weeks, Prendergast has stepped up his production which includes title crowns in each of his last two tournaments (Reno Tournament of Champions and Southern Scuffle) and is currently riding an 11-match winning streak. He is 6-2 against ranked wrestlers this season, winning his last four bouts against ranked foes.

Baker has enjoyed an injury-free season, however, he’s struggled in the close matches. Ten of his 24 matches have been decided by three points or less and is 4-7 in those matches. Additionally, his last three matches, including dual matches against Oklahoma’s Brian Shelton and 18th-ranked Zach Tanelli of Wisconsin have gone down to the wire, decided by just one point each. Baker, though, has managed a 15-9 record, placing among the top five in three tournaments, including a pair of runner-up trophies at the Navy Classic and the Reno Tournament of Champions.

Boasting and 8-3 dual match record, the Terrapins are riding a three-match winning streak. Maryland swept Lehigh (25-9), Rider (42-6), and Rutgers (39-4), on Dec. 8, its final date of competition before the holidays. Additionally, the Terps have wins over Army (26-13), Mercyhurst (30-15), nationally-ranked Michigan (18-16), and Appalachian State (31-7). Along the way, they have competed in just two tournaments, the Body Bar Systems Invitational in Ithaca, N.Y., where they placed third and most recently at UNC-Greensboro’s Southern Scuffle, where they placed fifth as previously mentioned. Maryland’s losses this year are to Edinboro (19-15), currently ranked 14th, Penn State (34-3), ranked No. 1, and Central Michigan is is fifth.

Three Terrapin wrestlers enter Thursday night’s match nationally ranked. In what will likely be the match of the evening, sophomore 174-pounder Mike Letts will face Navy’s Stolpinski in the only matchup of the evening that pits two ranked wrestlers against one another. Letts, who is ranked No. 7, owns an 11-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in dual meet competition. He is coming off a second-place finish at the Southern Scuffle where he dropped a 6-3 decision to Alton Lucas in the title bout.

Junior 184-pounder Josh Haines, ranked 19th, owns a 10-5 record this season, but has split his six dual meet matches. Haines placed eighth at the Southern Scuffle after being upset by Boise State’s Kirk Smith, 6-0. Meanwhile, 197-pounder Hudson Taylor has been sensational in this his redshirt sophomore season. Ranked No. 8, he boasts an 18-2 record, including a 9-1 mark in dual meet action.

Scott Casber will call the action live via Takedown Radio with American head coach Mark Cody serving as his special guest on the broadcast. Fans wishing to catch the action can listen to the match via the internet at <a href=“http://www.takedownradio.com%5B/url%5D”>www.takedownradio.com</a> or via Intermat’s web site.

Projected Lineup
125 - Brendan Byrne vs. Allan Stein (N)
133 - Steven Bell vs. Joe Baker (N)
141 - Jon Kohler or Charlie Pinto vs. Glenn Shober (N)
149 - Eric Medina vs. Bryce Saddoris (N) or Spencer Manley (N)
157 - Brian Letters vs. Joel Ahern (N)
165 - Mike McGill or Ryan Kennett vs. Matt DeMichiel (N)
174 - No. 7 Mike Letts vs. No. 9 Matt Stolpinski (N)
184 - No. 19 Josh Haines vs. Matt Parsons (N)
197 - No. 8 Hudson Taylor vs. Tyler Moyer (N)
HWT - Patrick Gilmore vs. No. 7 Ed Prendergast (N)

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:52pm

Top 10 individual seasons in college hoops
By Andy Katz, ESPN.com (Jan. 9, 2008)

Lew Alcindor, UCLA, 1966-67 – This was as dominant a season as you’ll find. In a win over Washington State, Alcindor scored 61 points and made 26 baskets. He scored 870 points (29 per game) and made 346 field goals and 274 free throws that season, helping the Bruins to a 30-0 record.

Larry Bird, Indiana State, 1978-79 – He led the Sycamores to an unprecedented 33-1 record and an epic title game against Michigan State that ultimately changed the sport. Bird was the national college player of the year and essentially carried ISU to the title game. He had plenty of magical moments, like scoring 49 points in a win over Wichita State.

Bill Bradley, Princeton, 1964-65 – It’s hard to single out just one season in a stellar career. But Bradley was superb in 1964-65. He scored 58 points in a win over Wichita State and 51 in a league win over Harvard. Bradley averaged 35.4 points in five NCAA Tournament games and led the Tigers to the Final Four.

Kevin Durant, Texas, 2006-07 – Durant was absolutely sensational in 2006-07, averaging 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds, and at times carrying the Longhorns by himself to the NCAA Tournament and on the verge of a Big 12 title. Durant was a stellar big-game performer. Just go back and watch the tape of his game at Oklahoma State and you’ll see how special he was. Durant swept every player of the year award – as a freshman.

Clyde Lovellette, Kansas, 1951-52 – Lovellette, who was from Terre Haute, Ind., was one of the top big men to play. Lovellette helped lead KU to the title, and he led the nation in scoring with 28.3 points per game. He was the only player to lead the nation in scoring and win a title in the same season. Lovellette averaged 35.3 points in four NCAA Tournament games, scoring 33 points and grabbing 17 boards in the title win over St. John’s.

Pete Maravich, LSU, 1969-70 – Watch the fluidity of his ballhandling, the way he glided on the court and his ability to score, and you can begin to appreciate his mastery of the basketball. Maravich was a savant at LSU that season, scoring 44.5 points per game. That bested his averages as a junior (44.2 points) and sophomore (43.8). No player has approached any of those marks since.

Shaquille O’Neal, LSU, 1990-91 – Shaq looked like a man among boys when he played at LSU. Shaq led the nation in rebounding with 14.7 a game. He was the AP Player of the Year as a sophomore. He blocked 140 shots. He scored 27.6 points a game and shot 62.8 percent from the field. He set a Maravich Center record at the time with 53 points and 17-of-21 free-throw shooting against Arkansas State.

Oscar Robertson, Cincinnati, 1957-58 – In his first season playing college basketball, the Big O averaged 35.1 points and 15.2 rebounds. And if you talk to those who saw him play, they will tell you he may have been one of the most complete players ever.

David Robinson Navy, 1986-87 – It’s safe to say there may never be a player like Robinson, at Navy or any of the other service academies. Robinson was the national player of the year in 1986-87, scoring 28.2 points per game for the Midshipmen.

Bill Russell, San Francisco, 1955-56 – The stats are shaky from this season, but the results aren’t – Russell led the Dons to their second consecutive title. Try and find a more dominating defensive presence in the post.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:54pm

By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer
Published January 09, 2008

Reggie Campbell and Dre Moore could not be more opposite in terms of appearance and playing style.

Moore is a 6-foot-4, 311-pound nose tackle who relies on power and strength. Campbell is a 5-foot-6, 168-pound slot back whose primary attributes are quickness and speed.

However, Campbell and Moore are quite similar in terms of performance on the football field. Both men were impact players this past season, putting up impressive statistics and earning numerous accolades.

As a result, Campbell and Moore are recipients of the two prestigious collegiate awards handed out by the Touchdown Club of Annapolis at its annual football banquet next month.

Campbell has been named winner of the Tony Rubino Memorial Silver Helmet Award that goes to the most outstanding player at the Naval Academy. The senior captain was a three-year standout, two-year starter and record-breaking performer for the Midshipmen.

“Reggie has been a special player four us all four years. Not only is he a great football player, but he’s also a great person,” former Navy head coach Paul Johnson said recently.

“He’s got some outstanding tools, a lot of heart and loves to play the game. You can never have too many Reggie Campbells.”

Moore has been selected to receive the Louis L. Goldstein Memorial Gold Helmet, given annually to the most outstanding player at the University of Maryland. The senior defensive lineman, named first-team All-ACC, was a dominant force during his second season as a starter for the Terrapins and is considered a professional prospect.

“Dre is really a remarkable kid. He’s shown what hard work can do for you and has matured into one heck of a player,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen told reporters a few weeks ago.

Campbell was a three-time, All-State selection at Lake Mary High in Sanford, Fla., but drew scant Division I interest due to his height. Navy assistant Ivin Jasper saw a special football player who was also a champion in competitive weightlifting and track. Jasper felt Campbell would be a perfect as a slot in Navy’s triple-option offense and was right.

Campbell completed his career ranked second all-time at Navy with 4,539 all-purpose yards. Only the great Napoleon McCallum, a former Heisman Trophy candidate who would play in the National Football League, accumulated more.

Campbell also finished as Navy’s all-time leader in both kickoff return yardage (1,905) and kickoff returns (80). The speedster’s 1,098 yards on kickoff returns this season were a school record.

Campbell enjoyed a tremendous senior season with 2,019 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named Most Valuable Player of the Army-Navy game after piling up 227 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns. He was named All-Independent by Phil Steele College Football Magazine and invited to play in the Hula Bowl Senior All-Star game, being held Saturday in Hawaii.

“I don’t think there’s any argument that Reggie is the best overall slot back we’ve had here. He does everything well - running, receiving and blocking,” said former assistant Jeff Monken, who coached that position all six years under Johnson.

Moore was considered a project when he signed with Maryland out of Independence High in Charlotte, N.C. The massive youngster did not play organized football until his senior season.

Through dedication in the weight room, Moore developed into an Iron Terp with the third-highest strength index on the team. He set a school record for defensive linemen with a 365-pound clean.

With determination on the practice field, Moore refined his technique and become a stopper along the interior line. This past season, the senior led all Maryland down linemen with 63 tackles and ranked second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss. He routinely overpowered opposing centers and beat double-teams in recording a team-best six sacks.

“Dre came here a raw kid without too much of a clue of what it takes to be successful at this level. Obviously, he’s come a long way in a short amount of time,” Maryland defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo said. “This season, Dre put it all together and became a major impact player. He was a force at times and was very, very difficult to block.”

Moore, who will graduate with a degree in family studies this month, is considered a likely NFL Draft pick.

“I think because Dre is so strong and has very good speed for such a big body, he’ll be very productive at the next level,” Sollazzo said.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:58pm

By David Ausiello

Posted Jan 9, 2008

In a departure from my column, I have assembled a panel of Navy sports experts¹ to discuss issues surrounding the 2008 Navy football season. The original idea for such an exchange came from Navy super-fan/blogger Mike James, who joins Washington Post writer and GoMids.com contributor, Christian Swezey, and GoMids.com message board moderator Mike Althouse (USNA86) in the discussion.

Should Paul Johnson be invited to the White House for the presentation of the Commander in Chief’s Trophy?

MJ: No. It isn’t bitterness or anything, he just isn’t Navy 's coach anymore.

86: No. He isn’t the coach of Navy any more. If a player gets kicked out or transfers, they don’t get invited. I see the White House visit the same way for coaches.

CS: No. When he left Navy he left for good.

DA: I actually think Johnson should be invited if the team says so. Since Johnson was at the helm for both the Air Force and Army victories, I would leave this decision up to the players. I do believe that Johnson would decline though.

Can Navy find a way to get Ricky Dobbs on the field next season?

MJ: Should Navy find a way to get Ricky Dobbs on the field? Other than in blowouts? I don’t think he’ll change positions, because he needs to be getting as many reps at quarterback in practice as possible. That means he’d have to beat out Jarod Bryant for #2 quarterback, which is unlikely. If Bryant changes positions (which is just speculation), then maybe Dobbs will get on the field.

86: Sure they can find a way. A better question is probably “will they?” My answer to that is “if he earns it.” He’s got two pretty good QB’s in front of him already, but if he performs better than them during spring practice then he’ll find his way onto the field.

CS: Yes. It’s hard to ask someone that talented to sit on the bench for two years. If possible, maybe move Bryant to slotback to make Dobbs the No. 2 quarterback. It would be really nice to get some playing time for Dobbs. There is no one else in the program who looks promising at QB for 2009 and 2010.

DA: This situation seems very similar to the one two years ago when Kaipo was a sophomore and blew folks away in the spring game. A lot of people wanted to get him on the field in any capacity. However, in Navy¹s offense it helps to have two seasoned quarterbacks. Having said that do you really want Dobbs first snap to come against Hawaii in 2009? Could you imagine Dobbs at QB, Kaipo at WR and Bryant at SB if we are trailing late in a game? No, I couldn¹t either, but it¹s fun to think about.

What are the chances in the next few months that Navy replaces Georgia Southern on its 2009 schedule? And if they do, who should they look to play?

MJ: I don’t know about the next few months, but there’s a 100% chance that Georgia Southern comes off the schedule. The only reason they were on there in the first place was Paul Johnson, and he’s gone. I don’t really care who we replace them with as long as it’s still a home game.

86: 100% chance they’re off the schedule. I would prefer to replace them with a 1-A team since Delaware is already on the schedule that year. I’d like to play a Western Kentucky or Rice or another MAC school - someone from the “should win” category.

CS: I don’t think getting Georgia Southern off the schedule is a big priority one way or the other. I’d like to play Georgetown just to smoke them for all the lacrosse trouble they give Navy but otherwise I’m not bothered.

DA: Navy is scheduled to play GSU the week before Notre Dame . I wouldn’t expect the new opponent, if there is indeed a switch, to be from a BCS conference. With trips to SMU and Hawaii already on the plate, no way this becomes another away game. So who would like to come to Navy? How about Louisiana-Monroe? That would be a ton of fun.

What spring game would you rather attend, Georgia Tech’s, Navy’s or Army’s?

MJ: I don’t see the appeal of any of these games other than Navy’s.

86: Navy’s. Be serious. I’m not anything more than a casual fan of the other two schools - one is a rival and the other is a thief.

CS: Navy, but I’m funny like that. Georgia Tech would be No. 2. Does Army even have a spring game?

DA: For my money, I¹d like to see the first half of the Georgia Tech spring game and the second half in Annapolis . The first half of the spring game at Navy will have few surprises. Now - when Dobbs steps on the field, that¹s a different story. As for Army, I wouldn¹t mind seeing their spring game as well (yes, they have one). It will be the first time in almost a decade that they will be running an option-based offense. It will probably be a little ugly in terms of execution, but it will definitely give West Point fans hope.

Who will play center and is that the most important position to fill?

MJ: My guess is that either Ryan Burke or Sander Gossard will start. I’d say it’s the most important position to fill, or at least the one with the most questions. Irv & Reggie leave some pretty big shoes to fill, but we have a better idea of who’s going to replace them.

86: Someone that isn’t listed on the roster as a center most likely. I’m not sure which of the linemen can move from their current position. Since that position makes the O-line calls it probably is the most important position to fill.

CS: The signs that Harper would move to center from guard in 2007 were evident from pre-game warm-ups in 2006, when he practiced at center with the third team. This year, the center in pre-game warm-ups with the third team was Sander Gossard. Maybe there is a freshman or sophomore in the program we haven’t heard about yet. That’s one reason why I’m interested in the spring game. And yeah, it’s a huge position to fill, especially for an option team. Nebraska 's great option teams always had tremendous centers. No better way to establish the fullback than with a people-mover at center.

DA: At first glance, I was a bit concerned about our offensive line next year. However, after studying the participation stats from the 2007 season, I found that there is ample experience coming back for 2008. As for who will be the center, I have no clue.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 4:59pm

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771

Navy Claims Leagues Three Weekly Awards

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. For the first time in program history, the Navy mens track & field team captured each of the Patriot Leagues three weekly awards, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday. John Olsen (Sr./Staten Island, N.Y.) was named the track athlete of the week, while Darryl Hunter (Sr./Des Moines, Iowa) earned field athlete-of-the-week kudos and Jake Palmer (Fr./Plymouth, Ind.) was tabbed the rookie of the week.

Olsen, who earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in cross country this past fall, won the 3,000-meter run with a blistering, IC4A-qualifying time of 8:21.06. His clocking best his previous personal record by more than four seconds and finished 17.46 seconds faster than Princetons top runner on Sunday. Its the first time in Olsens career that he has been named Patriot League Track Athlete of the Week.

Hunter, a two-time First-Team All-Patriot League competitor in the shot put, kicked off his senior year in fine fashion with an IC4A-qualifying toss of 544-3/4 (16.58 meters) to win the shot put. The mark was less than a foot off his career-best distance set at last years Patriot League Championship. This marks the fourth time in Hunters career that he has been recognized as the leagues field athlete of the week.

Palmer, a two-time state regional champion at Plymouth (Ind.) High School, boasted Navys second-fastest time in the 500-meter run on Sunday, finishing in 1:07.66 to place third overall. His performance at that distance for the first time in his young collegiate career earned him his first-career Patriot League Rookie-of-the-Week honors.

Despite coming up on the short end of a 96-85 decision at Princeton last Sunday, Navy won eight events and produced a total of six IC4A-qualifying efforts in its first action in more than a month.

The Midshipmen (0-1) return to action this Saturday when they take on American, Penn and VCU in a scored meet at Halsey Field House. Action is slated to begin at 11 a.m.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:00pm

This Week In Navy Sports Sponsored By Navy Federal Credit Union

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Overall Navy Sports Record: 140-62-6 (.688)

Men¹s Basketball (7-8)
Last Week: Defeated NJIT, 84-55; defeated Longwood, 73-55
This Week: at Bucknell (Friday, 7 p.m., Lewisburg, Pa., ESPNU-TV, WNAV-Radio, WFED-Radio, Sirius Channel 110)

Women¹s Basketball (4-11)
Last Week: Defeated Fordham, 55-45; lost to Ohio, 81-52
This Week: Bucknell (Saturday, 7 p.m., Annapolis, Md., 1430 WNAV, Navy All-Access)

Rifle (3-0)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: vs. Coast Guard and VMI (Saturday, 9 a.m., Annapolis, Md.); vs. Akron (Sunday, 9 a.m., Palmyra, Pa.)

Squash (8-3)
Last Week: Defeated Cynwyd Club, 11-1 (exhibition)
This Week: Penn (Saturday, 12 noon, Annapolis, Md.)

Men¹s Swimming & Diving (11-1)
Last Week: Lost to Harvard, 176-124
This Week: Cornell and Yale (Saturday, 12 noon, Annapolis, Md.)

Women¹s Swimming & Diving (11-0)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Cornell and Yale (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Annapolis, Md.)

Men¹s Indoor Track & Field (0-1)
Last Week: Lost to Princeton, 96-85
This Week: Penn, VCU and UMBC (Saturday, 12 noon, Annapolis, Md.)

Women¹s Indoor Track & Field (2-0)
Last Week: Competed at the non-team scoring UMES Invitational; competed at the National Pole Vault Summit
This Week: Idle

No. 22 Wrestling (1-2, 1-0 in the EIWA)
Last Week: Lost to No. 19 Oklahoma, 28-6; defeated Columbia, 31-9; lost to No. 14 Wisconsin, 23-12
This Week: No. 21 Maryland (Thursday, 7 p.m., Annapolis, Md.); at American (Saturday, 7 p.m., Washington, D.C.)

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:02pm

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771

Mids Capture All Three League Weekly Honors

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. For the second time in just over a year, the Navy womens track & field swept the Patriot Leagues three weekly awards, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday. Kyleigh Millhouse (Sr./Boiling Springs, Pa.) earned track athlete-of-the-week recognition, while Mia Blundetto (So./Apple Valley, Minn.) was named field athlete of the week and Joy Nameth (Fr./Walden, Colo.) claimed rookie-of-the-week distinction.

Millhouse, a Second-Team All-Patriot League cross country runner this past fall, paced the field in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10:28.84 for Navys lone track victory at the UMES Invitational. The effort was only 11.41 seconds off her personal record and 43.60 seconds faster than the next-best non-Navy runner on Friday afternoon. This leagues weekly honors are the first for Millhouse on the track in her career.

Blundetto accounted for Navys other event title at the UMES Invitational on Friday, winning the weight throw with a career-best distance of 415-3/4 (12.64 meters). Her first-career victory in the event helped her earn Patriot League weekly kudos for the first time in her career.

Nameth took a significant step forward in the shot put to open the new year on Friday, as she placed second with a toss of 413-1/4 (12.58 meters). Her performance was less than a foot off the best mark of the day and more than three feet better than her season-opening showing in December. This is the first league rookie-of-the-week recognition for Nameth in her young collegiate career.

In its first action in a month due to final exams and semester break, Navy produced 15 top-three performances at the UMES Invitational. One day later, two Navy pole vaulters took part in the 18th annual National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nev.

The Midshipmen (2-0) will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 19, when they host George Mason, James Madison, Mount St. Marys, North Carolina, VCU and William & Mary in Halsey Field House.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:05pm

Full speed ahead for Navy
by Ron Snyder, The Examiner

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The football season is over, but Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo¹s work is far from finished.

Niumatalolo, who took over for the Georgia Tech-bound Paul Johnson on Dec. 8, just finalized hiring his coaching staff and is focusing with assistants on recruiting, offseason conditioning and the season opener against Towson on Aug. 30.

"We got a good blend of younger and experienced coaches, said Niumatalolo, who was Navy’s assistant head coach the past six seasons. “But I was looking for some young, energetic coaches that can go out and hit the road in recruiting which is vital for us to be successful,”

In the past week, Navy, which finished 8-5 this fall, hired Joe DuPaix to coach the slot backs, Ashley Ingram to coach the offensive line, Steve Johns to coach inside linebackers and Tony Grantham to coach outside linebackers.

DuPaix comes to Navy from California-Poly, where he was the offensive coordinator, and Ingram was offensive coordinator at Bucknell. Johns coached with Niumatalolo at UNLV, where he was linebackers coach and coordinated recruiting and special teams. Grantham returns to Navy, where he coached for four years, after spending last year at Campbell University.

But all of Niumatalolo¹s hires have experience working with option offenses, which is important since Navy runs a triple-option attack, installed by Johnson in 2002.

Niumatalolo said his hires should be a perfect complement to the returning assistants, who include defensive coordinator Buddy Green and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, who was promoted from quarterbacks coach.

“I don¹t want to overhaul what Coach Johnson did here, but I will make some tweaks here and there,” Niumatalolo said. “I also know a lot of the moves I made were to fill in the holes we had [with the changes], including someone who can recruit in the south and West Coast and has a background in option football.”

Niumatalolo said he’s stressed to his players to put last season in the past as soon as they stepped off the field the 35-32 loss to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl.

“There are a lot of things as far as mechanics as a staff that we can improve upon which we took from that loss as we get ready for Towson,” Niumatalolo said.

Niumatalolo said he understands the expectations for him at Navy are far different than the ones placed upon Johnson six years ago when Navy was coming off a 0-10 season.

“We’ve got everything here to be successful,” Niumatalolo said. “The only thing I do now is go to work. If we do that and do the best we can to be organized and prepared, the rest will fall into place.”

<a href="mailto:rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com">rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com</a>

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:07pm

by Ron Snyder, The Examiner

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Navy heavyweight wrestler Ed Prendergast entered the season with expectations of becoming an All-American after qualifying for the NCAA Tournament last season.

But the senior didn¹t expect his practice partner, junior Scott Steele, to be one of his biggest obstacles.

Prendergast has struggled at times against Steele, a Towson native, who is 19-4 including victories over Prendergast in the finals of the Eastern Michigan Open on Nov. 3 and two weeks later at the Navy Classic. Still, it hasn¹t been enough for Steele, who was pinned by Prendergast in a match on Dec. 30, to wrestle the starting spot from him.

Prendergast is expected to be in the lineup tonight at 7 when 21st-ranked Midshipmen (1-2) host No. 22 Maryland (7-3) at the Naval Academy¹s Halsey Field House in the annual match between the state¹s two Division I teams.

“At most schools, a senior is winding down his career, but at Navy your career is just getting started,” Navy coach Bruce Burnett said. “There is a lot of responsibilities and added course work at Navy in your last year. I think Ed had a hard time getting back because of that. But Scott has earned the opportunity he¹s had this year.”

Steele said: “It’s been a great competition between Ed and me this year. It¹s been great looking at the other end of a tournament bracket, seeing Ed there and hoping we both get to the finals.”

Steele will cheer for Prendergast (21-4), when he steps to mat against Maryland redshirt freshman Patrick Gilmore (9-7) looking to extend his winning streak to 12.

“I didn¹t even start wrestling again until the season started in October so it took me a while to get back into form,² Prendergast, who was hindered by a knee injury earlier this season, said. ³Now that we are in the dual-meet season, I feel like I¹m getting stronger.”

Navy has dominated the Terrapins, winning the past 10 matches. But Maryland, which went 3-13-1 three years ago, has its highest ranking since 1990. Maryland is coming off a very good showing at the Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C., last month, as the Terrapins placed fifth four spots higher than the Midshipmen in the 28-team field.

"Pat [Santoro] has done an outstanding job at Maryland,² Burnett said. “A lot of the top kids around who would have gone to Lehigh [where Santoro was an assistant] are now going to College Park.”

No. 22 NAVY vs. No. 21 MARYLAND

» When: Tonight, 7

» Where: Halsey Field House, Annapolis

<a href="mailto:rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com">rsnyder@baltimoreexaminer.com</a>

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:10pm

Football ices his cakeHonoree didn’t expect to play at Naval Academy

By Michael Pointer
<a href="mailto:michael.pointer@indystar.com">michael.pointer@indystar.com</a>

D.J. Green is experiencing a lifelong dream by attending the Naval Academy. A college football career has been an unexpected bonus.

The former Perry Meridian quarterback was named the Most Valuable Player this season in the Collegiate Sprint Football League, a five-college East Coast league in which players must weigh 172 pounds or less. Green completed 58-of-103 passes (56.3 percent) for 853 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 179 yards on 45 carries and led the Midshipmen with seven touchdowns.

“It’s hard to be called a most valuable player when you have so many quality individuals around you,” said Green, now a junior at Navy. “It’s easy to throw touchdowns when you have receivers in man coverage, and it’s easy to throw the ball when your line gives you so much time in the pocket.”

It isn’t the varsity, but sprint football has a rich tradition at the Naval Academy. Green led the school to a 5-0 record and its 32nd CSFL title dating back to 1946.

Navy officials list it along with varsity sports on the school’s official athletic Web site. They even put out a preseason media guide.

“D.J. did very well on the field, but what was most admirable about him was his presence,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jake Jenkins, the team’s coach. “He was always in charge, always had a level head, and always kept the offense focused on the task at hand.”

Green had a passion for the military growing up but figured his playing days ended in 2004, his final season at Perry Meridian.

But he learned about the CSFL soon after being accepted by the Naval Academy.

“I was happy to find out it’s the football I grew up with,” he said. “It’s 11 guys cracking skulls with 11 other guys.”

But it isn’t easy. First, there’s the weight limit. The 5-10 Green said it isn’t a major problem for him because it’s close to his natural weight, but not for all his teammates, who watch their weight much like wrestlers. And second, Green and his teammates practice and study film nearly as much during the season as the varsity football players, making an already busy day that much more difficult.

“There are times where you feel like you can’t make it through,” he said. “But one of the great things about the academy is the people here. . . . You have so many people around that you can lean on.”

Jenkins said the lessons learned in sprint football help the players in their military careers.

“They’re more committed about not letting their teammates down than anything else,” said Jenkins, who played sprint football at the academy before graduating in 1996. "It’s great to see and will serve them for years to come.

“It’s not about the glory. It’s about what you’re doing for the guy to your left and right.”

Green plans to become a career Marine officer after graduation and serving his four-year commitment.

But he doesn’t rule out returning to his hometown and becoming a high school English teacher and football coach.

Call Star reporter Michael Pointer at (317) 444-2709.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:11pm

By Tom Housenick
The Daily Item

LEWISBURG – Progression is a funny word.

Depending on the context, it means certain things to certain people.

In the high-profile, win-or-else world of college basketball, progression means winning more games than the previous season.

Fourth-year Navy coach Billy Lange would love for that to be the case, but he’s taking a much more upbeat approach to the program’s progression in 2007-08.

“I felt like we had a much more competitive team last year than we had the year before,” Lange recalled. "If we’re a really good team and we only win five of 14 (Patriot League) games, I know we’ve progressed.

“The biggest thing is I don’t want to take a step back.”

Navy (7-8) tries to get off on the right foot Friday when it visits perennial contender Bucknell (5-9) in the league opener for both teams.

The teams come from opposite ends in recent history. The Bison have won the last six games in the series and have grabbed at least a share of the last two league regular-season titles and been to the last three league championship games.

The Midshipmen were 14-16 overall last season, 4-10 in the PL. They haven’t been in contention since Don DeVoe was on the sideline.

Lange isn’t making any promises, but he feels like Navy is getting closer to that goal.

“We have been right there in a lot of games this season,” he said. "Even when we were 3-7, I was feeling good about this team.

"I keep trying to stress to these guys that the toughest hurdle to climb is the next one, to go from being competitive to closing the gap on (league powers Holy Cross and Bucknell)."Navy has an anchor in senior Greg Sprink, the league’s second-leading scorer so far this season who has more than 1,400 career points. There also are now veteran guards Kaleo Kina and Chris Harris. Kina is athletically gifted and has shown better judgment with the ball this year, according to Lange.

“I came to the realization after last season that you have to take the good with the bad,” Lange said. “I don’t want him to lose one ounce of his aggressiveness.”

Where Kina and Navy have suffered is when the junior is forced to play the point for extended minutes. Even with that sometimes this year, he has as many assists as turnover after a minus-46 rating his first two years.

A sure sign of positive progression for Navy would be to improve on last season despite having two returning starters not out for the team – guard Corey Johnson (concentrating on football) and Trey Stanton (transferred to Rice).

Freshmen Mark Veazey and Romeo Garcia have helped, as have returnees Ben Biles, Adam Teague, Bryce Brigham and Scott Brooks.

“Romeo, from the time I started recruiting him, is one of my favorite players of all-time,” Lange boasted. "He may not have the stats, but what he does – help defense, communication, ball cuts – he’s just a winner.

“When (Johnson and Stanton) left, it forced some guys to play roles they didn’t have the experience in, but their adaptability is incredible.”

Bucknell is making the transformation, too, thanks to back-to-back graduating classes of star players who led their two NCAA tournament runs and injuries to three expected contributors this season.

Two – senior Darren Mastropaolo and junior Jason Vegotsky – are back, but still working their way into a rhythm. Rob Thomas hasn’t dressed since suffering an injury two minutes into his senior season.

The Bison have lost five of their last seven games and have had long droughts offensively throughout the non-league schedule. They have scored fewer than 20 points in the first half of five games.

Though non-league stats are like comparing apples and oranges, Bucknell is last among league teams in scoring offense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage, and next to last in steals and turnover margin.

Three freshmen – G.W. Boon, Todd O’Brien and Darryl Shazier – have shown flashes of real solid play, but it has been as expected for first-year players being thrust into precise offensive and defensive schemes.

Notes: Navy is second in scoring offense and scoring margin, last in rebounding margin, first in three-point field goal percentage and steals. Bucknell is first in blocked shots. … Sprink is second in scoring (19.1 ppg) and free throw percentage (83.9), and fourth in rebounding (5.9 rpg). … Kina is first in steals and fifth in assists. Harris is third and seventh, respectively. … Bucknell’s John Griffin is 11 of 45 shooting in his last five games. … The Bison have won their last three conference openers, seven consecutive home games against the Midshipmen and their last 11 regular-season league games. … Bucknell has won 35 Patriot League home games in a row.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:12pm

For: Immediate Release
Sent: January 10, 2007
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775

Navy Spring Football Game Set For Friday, April 18

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The annual Navy football spring game is set for Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The game will kickoff a huge weekend at the Naval Academy as the men’s lacrosse team will play host to Johns Hopkins the following day at 12 noon.

The football team will also conduct two other scrimmages that will be open to the public. The Mids will scrimmage on Saturday, April 5 at 9 a.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and on Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. on the practice field at the Naval Academy.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:24pm

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy rifle team resumes its season after a two-month break with a pair of meets this weekend. On Saturday morning, Navy will host the Coast Guard Academy at 9:00 am at the Bancroft Rifle Range. On Sunday, Navy will head to the Palmyra (Pa.) Invitational to battle national power Nebraska. The Mids enter the weekend with a 3-0 mark in dual meets.

We are definitely hitting the ground running. We have been back as a team for about a week and have had some very good practices, said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. This team knows what they need to do here in the final two months. For 16 seasons, this team has made the NCAA Tournament. They feel they have an obligation and responsibility to the previous 16 teams to keep it going. They have had a great attitude and they are getting to work to get this team back to the NCAAs.

The NCAA Tournament, which will be on March 14-15 this year, is comprised of the top eight teams nationally. Navy currently has the 12th-best average.

The Mids havent competed as a team since placing second behind Army at the Presidents Trophy on Nov. 3. However, several of the Mids have stayed busy during the hiatus. Lisa Kunzelman won junior gold 2007 USA Shooting 3X Air Match in early December. Josh Albright spent this week training with the U.S. National Team. Lastly, several members competed in a junior even this past weekend at the range.

Albright leads the Navy charge with an 1156.7 average, after firing a season-high 1166 in the Presidents Trophy. His scores have gotten progressively higher in each match. Kunzelman ranks second with an 1148.0 average, but leads the team in the air rifle, averaging 586.0.

The weekend will certainly give the Mids an indication of where they stand. Nebraska enters the match as one of the favorites to win an NCAA title in March.

They are definitely quite a challenge, said Kelley. They were in the top four or five last year and figure to be right there this year. We are more focused on us and what we need to do. They have been enthusiastic, willing to work and the result has been very productive practices. I anticipate us shooting good scores this weekend to get us right back in the hunt.

Navy will follow this weekend by hosting defending NCAA Champion Alaska-Fairbanks on Friday, Jan. 18, beginning at 2:00 pm.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:26pm

AD wants to complete unfinished business with football program

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ
Times Herald-Record
January 09, 2008

Not only is athletic director Kevin Anderson staying at West Point, he plans on being around for what he predicts will be an Army football revival.

Anderson confirmed to the Times Herald-Record on Wednesday that he had preliminary talks with University of Miami (Fla.) officials about the school’s athletic director’s position. He has removed his name from consideration.

“I was flattered that (Miami) wanted to talk to me,” Anderson. “But at the end of the day, I wanted to stay here. We have some of the best coaches and facilities in the nation.”

Anderson said that officials from the Atlantic Coast Conference school contacted him about the high-profile job. He spoke with Miami president Donna Shalala face-to-face last week about the position. Anderson declined to reveal the location of that meeting, but said it wasn’t in Miami. He asked Shalala to remove him from the search list shortly after their meeting.

Anderson, hired as Army’s athletic director in December of 2004, said one of the main reasons he’s staying is because “we have some unfinished business with the football program.”

The Black Knights haven’t had a winning season since 1996 and are coming off a second consecutive 3-9 year. Army capped this season with a 38-3 loss to Navy and haven’t beaten its service academy rival since 2001.

Bobby Ross unexpectedly bolted West Point last January after a disappointing three-year tenure, leaving Anderson to hire offensive line coach Stan Brock as coach on the fly. Both Anderson and Brock have taken heat from some Army fans. No matter.

Anderson maintains Stan’s his man.

“I want to be there the day Army wins the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and goes to a bowl game,” Anderson said. “I want to be there right next to Stan Brock. You can quote me on that.”

<a href="mailto:jrodriguez@th-record.com">jrodriguez@th-record.com</a>

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:27pm

For Immediate Release
Sent Thursday, Jan. 10. 2008
Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772

Navy Swimming & Diving Teams Home Saturday

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy swimming and diving teams will play host to their counterparts from Cornell and Yale Saturday afternoon in Lejeune Hall. The men’s meet between the programs is slated to begin at 12 Noon, with the three women’s teams taking to the pool starting at 2:30 p.m.

The Navy men’s team will look to bounce back from last week’s 176-124 loss to Harvard, the first setback of the year for the Mids (11-1). Navy athletes tallied six victories on the day, which included Jon Galinski (Jr., Phoenix, Md.) winning both diving events and Adam Meyer (So., Bethesda, Md.) winning the 200 fly and 400 individual medley races. His time of 4:24.29 in the latter event set a new Navy metric pool record.

Cornell brings a 3-2 record to Annapolis, while Yale has won both of its two dual meets to date. The Mids lost to both the Big Red (218.5-81.5) and the Bulldogs (211.5-88.5) last year when the meet was held at Yale. Additionally, Cornell recorded a 173-127 victory over Yale a year ago.

“Both Cornell and Yale are very strong this season,” said Navy men’s swimming head coach Bill Roberts. “We are going to have to be very good if we expect to be in this meet.”

Saturday’s meet will be the first for the Navy women’s team since its victory over Army at the end of November. The win over the Black Knights improved Navy’s record to 11-0 on the year.

Cornell has compiled a 2-3 record this season, while Yale has split its two dual meets of the campaign.

The Mids posted a 241-159 victory over Cornell last year and dropped a narrow 163-137 decision to Yale. The meet was rounded out by the Bulldogs posting a 238-62 win over the Big Red.

“This will be a good test for us to begin the new calendar year with,” said Navy women’s swimming head coach John Morrison. “Yale is a very good team and though Cornell is young, they have put up fast times this year. We have been training consistently well recently, so I expect strong performances from everyone on the team.”

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:29pm

Fully funded Terps expect to test Mids

By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer
Published January 10, 2008

Navy has owned Maryland in the sport of wrestling over the years. The two schools have engaged in an annual dual meet since 1951 and the Midshipmen hold a 48-7-3 advantage in the all-time series.

Five of Maryland’s victories, along with all three ties, occurred prior to 1970. Since then, Navy has won 37 of 39 meetings - often in convincing fashion.

Those days of dominance may be over.

Maryland’s wrestling program has been rejuvenated during the five-year tenure of head coach Pat Santoro, whose arrival coincided with the advent of full funding from the athletic department. Athletic director Debbie Yow delivered on her long-stated promise of providing the maximum scholarships for wrestling and Santoro has taken advantage by recruiting at a high level.

“Pat has done a tremendous job of bringing in blue-chip talent. Maryland’s last three recruiting classes have all been rated very highly and you are starting to see the results,” Navy head coach Bruce Burnett said. “If you look at Maryland’s roster, it’s sort of a who’s who of wrestlers that were nationally ranked at the high school level. Those recruits have now matured.”

For the first time in decades, 22nd-ranked Navy (1-2) will be the underdog when it hosts No. 21 Maryland (7-3) tonight at Halsey Field House. The upstart Terps, who have won five of their last six duals, will be seeking to snap a 10-match losing streak in the series.

“Maryland is solid from top to bottom. Pat has worked hard to make his program stronger and I certainly think we’ve got our work cut out for us,” said Burnett, who has yet to endure a close match with the in-state rival during his eight-year tenure.

Navy defeated Maryland by a combined score of 133-27 from 2003-2006. The Mids have beaten the Terps by 10 points or more ever year since 1994, including by a 25-12 count last January.

However, early indications are that Maryland is better than Navy this season. Redshirt sophomore Hudson Taylor took the title at 197 pounds as the Terrapins placed fifth as a team at the Southern Scuffle. The Midshipmen placed ninth at the same tournament, 14 points behind the Terps.

Santoro was a two-time national champion and four-time All-American at the University of Pittsburgh. He was an alternate for the 1996 United States Olympic team and spent nine seasons as an assistant at Lehigh.

Hired by Maryland in 2003 and awarded the full complement of 9.9 scholarships, Santoro moved quickly to upgrade the talent in the program. Under Santoro’s guidance, the Terrapins have steadily improved and reached unprecedented heights in 2007 by compiling a 17-5 record and capturing the Atlantic Coast Conference dual meet championship in undefeated fashion.

Maryland has three wrestlers in the individual rankings, including two in the Top 10. Sophomore Mike Letts is ranked seventh at 174 pounds while classmate Taylor is No. 8 at 197. Junior Josh Haines is No. 19 at 184 while three other Terps (freshman Eric Medina, sophomore Steven Bell and senior Charlie Pinto) have been ranked at some point this season.

By contrast, Navy has just three wrestlers who have been ranked this season in senior 174-pounder Matt Stolpinski, senior heavyweight Ed Prendergast and junior 133-pounder Joe Baker, all of whom were NCAA Tournament qualifiers a year ago.

Stolpinski (25-6) is currently ranked ninth after opening the season at No. 2. He has 124 career wins, just three shy of all-time record-holder Greg Gingeleskie (1996-99).

Prendergast was bothered by an injury early in the season and was actually beaten by teammate Scott Steele in the finals of the Eastern Michigan Open and Navy Classic, has climbed to No. 7 on the strength of a 21-4 record. He garnered the heavyweight title at both the Reno Tournament of Champions and the Southern Scuffle.

Baker has endured a hard-luck campaign, losing seven matches decided by three points or less to fall out of the national rankings. He was runner-up at the Navy Classic and Reno Tournament of Champions, but dropped a pair of one-point (to Brian Shelton of Oklahoma and 18th-ranked Zach Tanelli of Wisconsin) at the Lone Star Duals.

As a team, Navy went 1-2 at the Lone Star Duals - beating Columbia while losing to 19th-ranked Oklahoma and No. 14 Wisconsin.

By far the biggest matchup tonight comes at 174 pounds where Letts (11-3) and Stolpinski, ranked seventh and ninth, respectively, will square off. Letts is the defending ACC champion at 174 and went 2-2 at the NCAA Tournament.

Baker versus Bell at 133 is another marquee matchup. Ultimately, a series of tossup matches from 141 through 165 could determine tonight’s winner.

“We are certainly capable of winning this match, but we need to stay focused and steal those one-point matches that have gone against us throughout the season,” Burnett said. “We’re a little banged up and have some guys sick, but you play the hand your dealt and do what is necessary to win. I expect every man who steps on the mat to be prepared to perform. We will give ourselves a chance to compete.”

Annapolis resident Jon Kohler (9-11), a sophomore out of Mount St. Joseph, is one of two wrestlers who will weigh in at 141 pounds for Maryland. Broadneck High graduate Tyler Moyer (12-10) will get the start at 197 for Navy and will have his hands full with Taylor (18-2, 11 pins).

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:33pm

For: Immediate Release
Sent: January 10, 2008
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775

Greene Turtle To Host Navy-Bucknell Viewing Party

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The Greene Turtle in Edgewater, Md., will host a Navy-Bucknell men’s basketball viewing party on Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPNU.

GreatAmerican · January 12, 2008, 5:34pm

<h1>21 Maryland def. #22 Navy, 21-18</h1>

For Immediate Release
Thursday, Jan. 10, 2007
Wrestling Contact: Stacie Michaud (410) 293-8773

21st-Ranked Maryland Grapplers Outlast No. 22 Navy, 21-18

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Just four bouts into the match, a 5-2 win by 18th-ranked Josh Haines over Casey Caldwell (Liberty, Ind.) broke a 6-6 tie, giving the 21st-ranked Maryland wrestling team a lead it would not relinquish as the Terps defeated the No. 22 Navy Midshipmen, 21-18, Thursday night in front of 1,025 fans at Halsey Field House in Annapolis, Md. The Terrapins won six of the 10 matches en route to snapping the Mids’ 10-match winning streak over Maryland. The win was Maryland’s first against Navy since 1997 (24-13) and its first win in Annapolis since Feb. 12, 1986.

“I’m disappointed with the outcome tonight,” said eighth-year Navy head coach Bruce Burnett. "There are three things I ask of this team and that is that they battle in mind, body and more than anything heart. Clearly we didn’t win the battle of heart in two of our matches tonight. Had we, maybe we could have won one more match and possibly the entire match.

“Honestly, Maryland was the better team tonight. They have had the talent in the room, but it takes awhile to learn to win. I think Pat has done a tremendous job developing his wrestlers and his program.”

Early on it looked as though it might be a long evening for the Midshipmen as Maryland jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to decisions by rookie Brian Letters at 157 pounds and senior Ryan Kennett at 165. Letters led the entire match against Navy senior Spencer Manley (Chattanooga, Tenn.), who was asked to step in for an ailing Joel Ahern. Manley, who has spent the year wrestling at 149 pounds, closed to within one in the final period, but a takedown by Letters with 38 seconds left provided a buffer and with riding time, Letters claimed the 9-6 win.

Navy’s Matt DeMichiel (Whitesboro, N.Y.) looked to be the dominate wrestler through the first two periods at 165 pounds, but Kennett used his experience to overpower DeMichiel in the final period. Kennett knotted up the scored eight seconds into the final period before taking the go-ahead takedown with 33 ticks left on the clock. He extended his lead and almost pinned DeMichiel as Kennett was awarded a three-point near fall to take the 10-4 win.

It was the clash of the Titans at 174 pounds as No. 9 Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) battled seventh-ranked Mike Letts of Maryland. Letts dominated Stolpinski early in the match, earning three takedowns and a 6-3 advantage by the end of the opening period. Stolpinski managed to cut Letts’ lead to one after a takedown with seven seconds left in the second and trailed 7-8 going into the final period. Letts opened up with an escape, but less than 30 seconds later, Navy’s team captain was able to turn Letts and pinned the 2007 NCAA qualifier at the 5:38 mark.

“Letts is a tremendous wrestler,” said Stolpinski, who was has now won 125 career matches, just two off the Navy school record set by Greg Gingeleskie who produced 127 victories from 1996-99. “I wasn’t doing what I needed to do and was making some mistakes along the way. I know Coach Burnett was frustrated with me and I have a lot to work on in the coming weeks.”

With the match tied up at six points apiece, Navy turned to Caldwell to carry the torch at 184 pounds. Caldwell got the starting nod because of an injury to regular starter Matt Parsons (Dunkirk, Md.). Haines owned a 4-1 lead after the first two periods, however, Caldwell made a run, narrowing the score after a takedown early in the final stanza. Despite a valiant effort, Caldwell dropped a 5-2 decision to Haines.

Maryland extended its lead to to nine when just 59 seconds into the 197-pound bout, eighth-ranked Hudson Taylor pinned Navy’s Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.).

However, Navy answered with an even more impressive pin, as third-ranked heavyweight Ed Prendergast (St. Louis, Mo.) earned a fall over Terrapin rookie Patrick Gilmore with just 14 ticks off the clock. It was the fastest pin in Prendergast’s career and it moved him into a tied for fourth on Navy’s all-time pins list with the great Pete Blair (1951-55). Meanwhile, Prendergast extended his winning streak to 12 in a row dating back to the opening round of the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 18.

Down just three points, Navy would trade victories with Maryland over the final four matches. The Terps pushed their lead to 18-12 behind a 6-2 victory by second-year standout Brendan Byrne at 125 pounds. Tied at two apiece midway through the second period, Byrne took the lead for good when he was awarded a takedown against Navy rookie Allan Stein (Portland, Maine) on the edge of the mat as time expired.

Junior Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.) took the lead less than a minute into his match against sophomore Steven Bell at 133 pounds and would push it to as large as seven points in the third period before taking the match, 12-6. Baker’s 10-3 lead was with 41 seconds left, but he could not hold Bell in his grasp as he surrendered the escape, followed by a Bell takedown with 13 seconds remaining. Baker escaped with just four seconds left and added riding time to claim the match.

Thanks to the efforts of senior Charlie Pinto, Maryland assured itself at least a tie in the match with the veteran 141-pounder turned in an 8-2 victory over Navy sophomore Glenn Shober (Reading, Pa.). After a scoreless first period, Shober opened the second with an escape. Pinto, though, answered almost immediately with a takedown to lead 2-1 heading into the final stanza. Pinto turned in a pair of takedowns and an escape to Shober’s escape in the final period to take the win with riding time.

Down three points heading into the final match, Navy needed a pin from rookie 149-pounder Bryce Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nev.). Saddoris, who has won 24 matches this season, was battled by fellow freshman Eric Medina. Medina scored his only takedown of the match with just under a minute left in the opening period and Saddoris tied up the match with 27 seconds to go. Saddoris took the lead for good at 1:17 mark in the second period. The Navy newcomer tied to get Medina turned in the closing seconds of the match, but was unable to get the extra-point win for the Mids, as Saddoris earned a 7-3 win in the final match of the evening.

“There were a few guys in particular that I thought wrestled really tough,” added Burnett. "Ed went out there and there was no doubt what he was going out there to do. A few matches later, Joe Baker went out and made something happen in his match. Though Allan Stein and Casey Caldwell lost their matches, I felt like they really battled and worked hard. I don’t ask that our guys win every match, but I do ask them to compete.

“We are going to have to get back in the wrestling room and learn to compete with our conference tournament and nationals just around the corner.”

The Midshipmen, who are now 1-3 in dual matches, return to action Saturday when they travel to Washington, D.C. to face unranked American. Action is slated to begin at 7:00 pm at Bender Arena.

<h1>21 Maryland 21, #22 Navy 18</h1>

157 - Brian Letters (M) dec. Spencer Manley (N), 9-6 w/ riding time (M3, N0)
165 - Ryan Kennett (M) dec. Matt DeMichiel (N), 10-4 w/ riding time (M6, N0)
174 - #9 Matt Stolpinski (N) fall #7 Mike Letts (M), 5:38 (M6, N6)
184 - #18 Josh Haines (M) dec. Casey Caldwell (M), 5-2 w/ riding time (M9, N6)
197 - #8 Hudson Taylor (M) fall Tyler Moyer (N), 0:59 (M15, N6)
285 - #3 Ed Prendergast (N) fall Patrick Gilmore (M), 0:12 (M15, N12)
125 - Brendan Byrne (M) dec. Allan Stein (N), 6-2 w/ riding time (M18, N12)
133 - Joe Baker (N) dec. Steven Bell (M), 12-6 w/ riding time (M18, N15)
141 - Charlie Pinto (M) dec. Glenn Shober (N), 8-2 w/ riding time (M21, N15)
149 - Bryce Saddoris (N) dec. Eric Medina (M), 7-3 w/ riding time (M21, N18)

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