**Click the above image to watch a preview of the meet**
ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– The annual Army-Navy swimming and diving Star Meet will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. in Navy's Lejeune Hall. The meet is part of the Star Series, presented by USAA.
The Navy women's team has posted a 9-1 record this year, the Navy men's team enter the meet with an 8-2 record, Army's women's team has compiled a 2-1 record and the Army men's squad has posted a 1-1-1 record.
Parking on The Yard is limited to those vehicles driven by someone with a Department of Defense identification card. All others must either park outside of the USNA and walk through the gate one visitors center or park ($5. per vehicle) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (blue / west side, by the Blue Angel jet) and ride the free shuttle bus. The shuttle bus will begin running to the USNA at 4 p.m. A government issued ID card (drivers license) must be displayed by everyone ages 18 and over before they will be allowed through the gates whether they are walking or taking the shuttle bus. Those ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission is free to the meet. Nearly all seating in the 1,000-seat facility is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
NavySports.com will have links to free live results and a free live video stream of the meet via the Patriot League Network. Olympic Gold Medalist and NBC Sports announcer Rowdy Gaines will serve as the analyst on the stream, with Navy's Pete Medhurst calling the play-by-play. The video stream will begin at 4:50 p.m.
"The Army-Navy completion always brings out the best of both teams," said Navy women's swimming head coach
John Morrison. "We have been training and competing very well, and we will look to this great rivalry to inspire us beyond our limits. Army has a very good team and staff. We will have to be at our best to compete."
"We have watched this team continue to improve at each practice and competition this season," said Navy men's swimming head coach
Bill Roberts. "They have been consistent with their approach, their mindset and subsequently, their performances. We could not be more proud of this group and look forward to the upcoming Star competition. The environment of Army-Navy week is everything you would expect. This is a special event on several levels. One of our goals is to honor and respect the unique and special nature of this week with our attitude, our commitment and our efforts."
"I am really excited for the meet," said Navy diving coach
Rich MacDonald. "The divers are competing well and ready to go. It is always a great atmosphere, especially when we are the host team. It is great to have it the same week as the football game because it just adds to the excitement. It should be a great meet."
Navy won both events last season in the meet held at West Point. The women's team posted a 199.5-100.5 victory and the men's program won by a 173-127 count. The victories were the 30th in a row in the series for the Navy women and the 28th in a row for the Navy men.
In looking at the results from the 2018 meet, Army holds a slight edge in returning points in the 12 men's individual swimming events with Navy taking an equally slim lead when adding in the two diving events. Each team has the top returning competitor in seven events.
For Navy, this includes
Luke Johnson (Jr., Charlotte, N.C.) in the 1000 free (second a year ago),
James Wilson in the 100 backstroke (first),
Chris Bondarowicz (Jr., Scotch Plains, N.J.) in the 100 breast (first),
Caleb Mauldin (So., Chesapeake, Va.) in the 200 back (first),
Ryan Waters (Jr., Basking Ridge, N.J.) in the 500 free (first) and
Bradley Buchter (Sr., Hickory, N.C.) on both diving boards (first in each event).
Army's top returning athletes are Kevin Lin in the 200 free (first last season), Johnny Ellery in the 200 butterfly (first), Josh Zock in the 50 free (first), Kevin Doo in the 100 free (second) and 100 fly (first), Evan Zhang in the 200 breast (first) and Brian McKenrick in the 200 individual medley (first).
On the women's side, Navy holds a 50-point edge in returning points from last year's meet, but the Mids have just an 8-6 lead in returning the top competitor from last year's individual events.
Back for the Mids are
Alicia Mancilla (So., Miami, Fla.) in the 1000 free (second place in 2018),
Martina Thomas (So., Fayetteville, Ark.) in the 200 free (first) and 500 free (first),
Kelly Huffer (So., Phoenix, Ariz.) in the 200 fly (first), Sarah Sorenson (So., Gainesville, Fla.) in the 50 free (first) and 100 free (first),
Jamie Miller (Sr., Rochester Hills, Mich.) in the 200 back (first) and
Jamie Miller in the 200 individual medley (second).
Army returns Lauren Carag in the 100 back (first place last year), Rebecca Morel in the 100 breast (third) and 200 breast (third), Whitney Chang in the 100 fly (first) and Serica Hallstead on both diving boards (first on each).
