THROGGS NECK, N.Y. - The spring intercollegiate sailing regular season wrapped up this past weekend with Navy placing third at the America Trophy to qualify for the College Sailing Coed Nationals.

Navy competed against the top 18 teams in MAISA for the spring conference fleet racing championship at SUNY Maritime College.

Navy arrived on Saturday but a lack of wind prevented any sailing. Eventually a south breeze filled in on the East River and the regatta was able to get in eight races per division before returning to shore with the sun setting over the Manhattan skyline.

Sunday was rainy and the shifty winds and strong currents made for very difficult racing. The point spread remained tight throughout the regatta as every team seemed to have its hot streaks and pitfalls. After staying in the mix throughout most of Sunday, Navy made a run late and was closing in on the lead when the time limit expired.

In the end the Midshipmen finished third, only 10 points out of the overall lead. Patrick Snow and Megan Hough finished third in A division while Gary Prieto and Michelle Katz were second in B. Michael Popp, Aaron Hull, Molly Robertson, Peter Hogan and Jimmy Madigan were also on hand, ready to go in the conditions called for it.

The finish was easily good enough to qualify Navy for the College Sailing Coed Nationals in San Diego from May 31 to June 3. Since the Mids already qualified for Team Racing and Women's Nationals in earlier events, Navy has now qualified for all three ISCA Spring National Championships four years in a row.

After racing, the MAISA All-Conference team was announced. Navy's Megan Hough and Michelle Katz were named All-MAISA Crews. Patrick Snow and Gary Prieto were named Second Team All-MAISA Coed Skippers. They join Hannah Hughes who was named a Second Team All MAISA Women's Skipper a week ago.