Final Stats

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Navy swimming and diving programs closed out another successful Patriot League Championship by earning the men's and women's championship trophies at the meet that concluded Saturday night at Kinney Natatorium in Lewisburg, Pa.

The Navy men's team won its 12th title in its 12 years of competing at the meet, while the Navy women's team won its fourth-straight title, its fifth crown in six years and its league-best 14th championship in 24 seasons.

The Mids totaled 915 points in the men's competition to outdistance second-place Army's tally of 642 points. Navy sat atop the women's standings with its four-day total of 798 points. The Mids separated themselves from Bucknell's second-place total of 665 points.

"Our main thought is to never take the previous championship for granted," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts. "Each year has its own build up. This year's championship was different that last year's was. We are very, very satisfied with being in the position we are in to compete for the league title."

"We received a tremendous performance from our entire team," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison. "Everyone contributed to the team score. We had a lot of great swims, but we also had some disappointing ones. But this team really came together and through that encouragement pulled those swimmers and divers through who may not have began the meet with a good swim into having a great one by the end of it."

Navy also won a slew of individual honors after the end of the meet. John Morrison (women's swimming), Bill Roberts (men's swimming) and Rich MacDonald (diving) were recognized as the coaches of the year. Nate Belch was tabbed as the men's diver of the year, Charlotte Meyer was selected as the women's swimmer of the year and Jenny Smith earned women's swimming rookie-of-the-year honors.

"The Navy swimming and diving program continues to grow and develop, and the relationship and support between our two teams is an example of the progression we have made and continue to make," said Morrison. "This weekend was a perfect example of that. The teams were very supportive of one another. When it mattered the most in a relay or another close event, having both teams on the pool deck excited and cheering for one another makes a huge difference. That support makes both teams better, and it was just fantastic all week."

"Something important we talk to our team about is having a certain amount of pride with representing the Naval Academy," said Roberts. "To truly have that pride, you have to think and act as a team. It was great to see that concept over the course of these four days. Both teams were very supportive of one another throughout the meet."

The evening began with the time finals of the 1650 freestyle event. In the women's race, Navy's Jenny Smith placed second to Boston's Stefanie Nasson (16:29.50) with a time of 16:49.95, while teammates Madeline Bliss (16:58.95) and Morgan Nassif (17:31.64) placed sixth and 11th, respectively.

Alex Nickell gave Navy its first win of the evening with his clocking of 15:15.42 in the men's 1650. Placing fifth in the race was Navy's Tom Duvall in a time of 15:47.16.

"Alex continues to progress and improve," said Roberts. "Two of his three swims were personal best times. Today's effort was a great race for him. He led wire to wire and is something he can really build upon."

Bucknell made a surge toward Navy in the women's standings as Emma Levendoski (1:56.22) placed first and Ashley Henderson (1:58.45) in the 200 backstroke. However, the Mids thwarted too much damage to its lead by placing two swimmers in both the championship and consolation final of the event. Charlotte Meyer placed third for Navy with her time of 1:58.92, while Emily Ranzau finished in sixth place with her clocking of 1:58.92.

"Charlotte had fantastic swims throughout the meet," said Morrison. "Her being able to lower the league's 400 IM record down to a time that is competitive on a national level is amazing. Her being able to do so shows what she and our program has the potential to accomplish."

Adding to Navy's point tally were Zoe Macfarlane and Amanda Thach, who placed 11th and 16th, respectively, as Navy's lead over the Bison fell to just 60 points.

The men's edition of the 200 back saw Navy's David Carlson finish third with a time of 1:45.16 and Joe Lane place fifth with his time of 1:48.52. Additionally, Billy Draves placed fourth in the consolation final of the event.

The Navy women's squad earned its first win of the night when Kenzie Margroum placed first in the 100 freestyle with her clocking of 50.17. Making the result even better for the Mids was Maddi Thompson finishing second to Margroum with a time of 50.33 and Brianna Bilunas taking eighth with her posting of 51.41. Also helping Navy was Molly Kuenstler finishing third in the consolation final.

The Mids very nearly swept the 100 free crowns as Dain Bomberger placed second in the men's 100 with his time of 44.14. Joining him in the championship final were teammates Riley Mita, who placed fifth (45.21) and Ethan King, who finished in sixth place (45.99). Additionally, Bjorn Davis won the consolation final of the 100 free.

The Navy women picked up another victory when Ellen Bradford won the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2:18.03. Also advancing to the final were Kaitlyn O'Reilly, who finished third (2:18.77) and Kristine Doan, who placed eighth (2:24.84).

Marlin Brutkiewicz joined Bradford as Mids to win the 200 breaststroke as he took the men's final in a time of 1:57.80. That clocking allowed him to better teammate Young Tae Seo, who took silver with his clocking of 1:59.85. Also, Navy's Morgan DeJong finished in fourth place with a time of 2:00.36.

The last individual events of the championship saw Navy's Rachael Dudley and Jonathan DeBaugh earn the victories in the 200 butterfly races. Dudley posted a time of 2:00.06 to defeat teammates Hanna Gillcrist for the win. Gillcrist recorded a second-place clocking of 2:01.78.

"If it were possible to have co-swimmers of the year," said Morrison, "Rachel would have shared the award with Charlotte. To come back from a somewhat disappointing season last year to winning three individual events this year was great. She dominated the events she competed in, which was a great way for her to cap a very successful season."

Debaugh led four Mids in the championship final of the 200 fly. His time of 1:44.22 won the race, while Draves placed fifth (1:49.06), Noah Martin finished in seventh place (1:50.44) and Ethan Whitaker took eighth place (1:51.05).

"Having one of the best overall meets for us was Jonathan," said Roberts. "He had really good, solid swims all week."

Navy very nearly made it a sweep of the four diving titles, but after winning one on each of the first three nights of the championship Amanda Zerphy was edged for the women's three-meter crown by less than five points. Zerphy totaled 255.00 points to fall just short of Boston's Lizzie Tillo's score of 259.55.

Also scoring for the Mids in the event was Julie Jesse, who placed eighth with 229.95 points, and Hanna Collins, who finished in 10th place.

Navy closed out the meet in style by sweeping the 400 freestyle relay titles. The women's team of Margroum, Bilunas, Meyer and Thompson won the race in a time of 320.58, while the men's foursome of Duvall, Dain , Bjorn and Mita posted a time of 2:57.55 to win its event.

This story will be updated Sunday on NavySports.com with comments from the Navy coaches.

Women's Standings

798 Navy

665 Bucknell

489 Boston U.

481 Lehigh

416 Army

284 Colgate

165 American

161 Loyola

118 Lafayette

74 Holy Cross

Men's Standings

915 Navy

642 Army

536 Boston U.

522 Bucknell

329 Lehigh

196 Loyola

169 Lafayette

147 Colgate

88 American

78 Holy Cross