LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Taking on a top-flight field of competitors from across the collegiate and U.S. National team ranks, Navy sophomore Isaiah Drake (Los Angeles, Calif.) turned in a trio of top-10 results at USA Gymnastics' 2023 Winter Cup. One of 33 gymnasts competing at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Drake improved over the two-day meet and has himself in leading contention for upcoming international championships.
 
"Isaiah was rock solid at the Winter Cup this weekend," remarked Navy head coach Kip Simons. "It's tough to compete on the biggest stage without your brothers, but he was locked in and got the job done.
 
"His performance this weekend proves Isaiah is one of the top gymnasts in the United States. He represented the Naval Academy very well on the national stage."
 
Competing as a modified all-arounder, Drake suited up on Friday and later on Sunday at the Winter Cup on the pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar. He came into the event with a minor injury and didn't compete on the floor exercise.
 
In his first day of the competition, Drake tied for eighth on the vault with a 14.15 score that was identical to Illinois' Connor McCool and just 0.1 points shy of the eventual all-around champion, Yul Moldauer's vault score. His second-best result on Friday came on the rings as he finished tenth in the standings with a 13.4. The remainder of his scores day one were a 12.15 on the pommel horse (22nd), 13.55 on the parallel bars (13th) and 11.55 on the high bar (23rd).
 
Taking part in the event finals on Sunday, Drake found that next gear and moved up the standings. Strong once again on the vault, he came back with a 14.0 to give him a two-day total of 28.15 points, that ranked fourth overall in the field. He finished only 0.2 points off the podium as Illinois' Mike Fletcher earned bronze with a 28.35. Drake's consistency also paid off on the rings as he added 13.35 points to his total to give him 26.75 cumulative points, good for sixth place. His third top-10 performance came on the parallel bars as he posted a 13.5 on Sunday for an overall score of 27.05 that tied Stanford's Riley Loos for eighth place. Additionally, Drake posted a 11.55 on the pommel horse (23.7 total, 17th place) and a 12.1 on the high bar (23.65 total, 15th place) to round out his effort.
 
Drake will now await word from the U.S. Gymnastics coaching staff and selection committee about his possible inclusion in upcoming international competitions this spring.
 
Once back in Annapolis, Drake and his Midshipmen teammates will turn their focus to the second half of their season that picks up this Sunday with a home meet versus William & Mary. First touch between the Mids and Tribe is set for 2 p.m. at Halsey Field House.