ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Included among the United States Naval Academy's Class of 2023 were 22 varsity athletes who earned Graduate with Distinction honors.
 
Those who garner Graduate with Distinction laurels finish in the top-10 percent of the graduating class in Overall Order of Merit, which includes academics, military performance, conduct and physical education standing.  There were 104 members of the Class of 2023 who earned the accolade, including Valedictorian Peter Hillen (Orinda, Calif.) who was a member of the water polo team.  The Class totaled 1,045 graduates.
 
This is the eighth year in a row, the 11th time in the last 13 years and 18th time starting with the Class of 2000 in which the No. 1 graduate in Overall Order of Merit is a varsity sport athlete.
 
Hillen was one of five varsity athletes to rank among the top-11 graduates in the class and one of 10 to rank among the top-27 graduates.  Hillen's water polo teammate Graham Lindner (Bel Air, Md.) ranked third, Virendra Ghate (Scotch Plains, N.J.) from the offshore sailing team ranked fifth, women's swimmer Ana Lesho (Ellicott City, Md.) ranked ninth and Irene Norman (Aurora, Ohio) from the women's rowing team ranked 11th.

Varsity Athletes in Navy's Class of 2023 who Earned Graduate with Distinction Honors
Peter Hillen - Water Polo
Graham Lindner - Water Polo
Virendra Ghate - Offshore Sailing
Ana Lesho - Women's Swimming & Diving
Irene Norman - Women's Rowing
Luke O'Hara - Men's Soccer
Stephen Scholl - Lightweight Rowing
Carey Hutchens - Heavyweight Rowing
Kyle Faison - Water Polo
Dylan Carol - Men's Tennis
Elizabeth Sullivan - Women's Cross Country / Track & Field
Jack Thomas - Sprint Football
Charlotte Ryan - Women's Lacrosse
David Huizenga - Men's  Track & Field
Oliver Hasler - Lightweight Rowing
Matt Ross - Lightweight Rowing
Libby Miller - Women's Swimming & Diving
Brett Brady - Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
Eliza Herring - Women's Rugby
Jackson Fuller - Lightweight Rowing
Patrick Michalik - Offshore Sailing
John Brand - Football