ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Rising seniors Jack Aleman and Ben Haugh of the men's rugby team were named team captains for the 2023-24 season, director of rugby Gavin Hickie announced Friday.

Aleman started 16 matches at center during Navy's national championship season. The Kansas, City, Mo., native garnered Rugby East Honorable Mention accolades for his efforts in helping the Mids win their first Rugby East Conference Championship last fall. The quantitative economics major has sustained a 3.76 cumulative GPA and received six academic honors from the USNA.

Haugh was one of the top rugby players in the nation during his junior campaign. The Raleigh, N.C., native was nominated for the Rudy Scholz Award and earned First Team All-Rugby East recognition. He finished second on the team in tries scored (14) and third in scoring (70 points) in his 16 appearances. Navy's 8-man was also one of only six Mids to post a hat trick during the season. The ocean engineering major has earned six USNA academic honors and owns a 3.52 cumulative GPA. 

"The leadership of Navy rugby really is a whole team effort and while Ben and Jack have earned the captaincy, they will need a strong group of leaders around them," said Hickie. "We set very high expectations of ourselves and have big shoes to fill following the leadership of the Class of 2023, but we are very excited to work with our team leaders as we continue to drive our culture forward." 

Navy will begin its quest to defend its national title in Dublin, Ireland against Notre Dame Aug. 25.