ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Rising seniors Elizabeth Downing, Peter Faber and Riki Gagnon were announced as team captains for the Navy women's, heavyweight and lightweight rowing programs for the 2020-21 season. The trio bring strong resumes of winning experiences and leadership attributes to their new positions.
 
Elizabeth Downing - Women's Rowing - West Lafayette, Indiana
"I'm honored to represent the 2020-2021 version of Navy Women's Rowing," said Downing. "As a team, we represent the many women who have pulled for Navy before us and their continued legacy in the fleet. Whatever the rowing world gives us this year, I know we will bring the same relentless attitude that has carried us this far. Our military training sets us apart and has prepared us to adapt and overcome any situation. We will be ready."
 
"We are very excited to have Liz leading the team for the 2020-2021 year," remarked Joe Schlosberg, head coach of the women's rowing program. "She's very level-headed, relatable and well-respected on the team. Someone who always attacks each workout, Liz will take the reins and help guide this team through this unconventional year ahead. Liz truly cares about her teammates and the team's success and we know that she'll handle whatever is thrown her way with tremendous poise."
 
Downing has been a staple in Navy's NCAA boats throughout her time as a Midshipmen. Joining the program after competing in swimming, cross country and track & field as a high school athlete in Indiana, she took to the sport at Navy immediately and raced in all seven events as a freshmen, including the Patriot League and NCAA Championships with the first varsity four crew. Her second year on the water with the Mids in 2019, Downing and her second varsity eight crew finished atop the standings at the league championship in May to win the individual boat title. She also raced with the 2V8 in the NCAA Championship. A well-rounded student-athlete, she has earned CRCA Scholar-Athlete accolades following the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
 
Peter Faber – Heavyweight Rowing – Snohomish, Washington
"I am grateful and humbled to be selected by my teammates to lead our Brotherhood," reflected Faber. "The Heavyweight Class of 2021 stands ready to lead this team, regardless of the challenges that we will face in these uncertain times. The training that we undergo in the boathouse and on the water develops more than muscle: the heart and mind are also toughened to meet the demands of the race, in order to persevere when surrender is the simpler option. That strength of character and mental fortitude are vital to becoming an eminent teammate, company-mate, and Naval or Marine Corps officer. We will continue to develop ourselves, along with our Lightweight brothers and Women's Crew sisters, to be prepared for whatever this racing season and the season of life throw at us."
 
"Pete has shown all the signs of being a great leader for our team and I'm excited to work with him as our new team captain," said Rob Friedrich, head coach of the heavyweight program. "As a walk-on rower who never picked up an oar before arriving at USNA, his hard work and determination helped him gain the respect of the entire squad. Along with his classmates, Pete's message to the team has been clear: Throughout these times of uncertainty, it will be the team's resilience and unity that will lay the foundation for our success this year."
  
Faber has showcased a strong work ethic and quick ability to learn the sport of rowing as he turned into a top-level rower after running cross country in high school. As a walk-on freshman in 2018, he appeared in four races and competed with the fifth varsity eight crew that placed third at the Eastern Sprints. He continued accelerating up the ranks as he moved to the second varsity boat in 2019 with racing action in all eight events, including both the Eastern Sprints and IRA National Championships.
 
Riki Gagnon – Lightweight Rowing – Albany, California
 "This position is a huge honor, and it is incredibly humbling to have been chosen by my teammates," proclaimed Gagnon. "Knowing the other teammates in my class, any one of us could have been selected as captain. The guys on the team are incredibly hardworking, talented, and driven so I am extremely grateful for the privilege of leading them.
 
"Although we've already had to navigate through quite a few obstacles for the 2020-20201 season, I am confident in the work that we have been putting in over the quarantine/summer period. We'll be fitter, faster, and stronger when we return in the fall, ready to grind. I know that the guys and myself are very excited to come back and get training. I am extremely optimistic about this upcoming season because whether it be racing against other schools or our brother and sister teams at the boat house, we'll finally be back on the water doing what we love—rowing."
 
"First and foremost, I think it's important to point out how different the position of Team Captain is for varsity sports at the Naval Academy," said Shawn Bagnall, head coach of the lightweight program. "You are selecting "a leader of leaders", vetted by the Commandant's Office, and this process is one that extends beyond just a simple vote among the eligible men and women on our team. Every year there are multiple leaders on our team that both the coaching staff and athletes know would do an excellent job in leading us in the upcoming campaign. The voting this year was no different. 
 
"Our locker room and boat bay at Hubbard Hall is proud to have chosen Riki to lead in what is shaping up to be an extraordinarily challenging time for both our team, and teams across the country. I have no doubt that Riki's humble, hard-working, and thoughtful leadership will guide us well, continuing to chart a strong course for our team at the regional and national level. We are beyond excited to get back to work as a team this fall."
 
Gagnon has been a core member of the top-two lightweight boats during his first three years in Annapolis. He began his collegiate career racing in 2018 with the second varsity eight in all six regular season events and the Eastern Sprints. As a sophomore, Gagnon moved up to the first boat and helped the Mids earn the first lightweight V8 medal at the Eastern Sprints since 2006 as they crossed the finish line in third place. After competing with Navy during the school year, Gagnon was selected as a member of Navy's King's Cup team that won the international event at the 2019 Henley Royal Regatta in July.