ANNAPOLIS, Md. – With the reformation of the brigade and start of classes this week, it was announced by Navy Director of Athletics Michael Kelly that the Navy intercollegiate sailing program had been awarded the 2024-25 Director of Athletics Cup.
 
The Director of Athletics Cup was established to recognize intercollegiate excellence and the Naval Academy varsity team that exemplifies itself as a standard bearer in academics, leadership, varsity competition, conduct, aptitude for commission and honor.
 
It is the second time in program history the intercollegiate sailing team has won the Director of Athletics Cup, previously taking home the honor in 2020-21.
 
Earning berths to four ICSA Championships, the Mids closed out the season by placing second in the Open Fleet Race National Championship, also producing four ICSA All-Americans while claiming three major conference awards and nine All-MAISA selections.
 
After Navy claimed the Intrepid Trophy by placing first at the MAISA Match Race Championship and then taking second in the War Memorial Regatta (the MAISA Open Fleet Racing Fall Championship), the Mids ended the fall by placing sixth at ICSA Match Race National Championship.
 
To begin the spring, Navy took third in the MAISA Women's Fleet Race Championship, while the Mids claimed the Prosser Trophy by placing first at the MAISA Team Race Championship a week later. Placing sixth at the MAISA Women's Team Race Championship the following week, Navy nearly captured another conference title when it finished runner-up for the America Trophy at the MAISA Open Fleet Race Championship.
 
Navy then finished ninth in the ICSA Team Race National Championship and followed by placing 10th in the ICSA Women's Fleet Race National Championship. Capping off the season at the ICSA Open Fleet Race Championship, Navy wound up second overall and earned the Oxford University Yacht Club Trophy.
 
Earning ICSA All-America status for the second time in their careers, junior Nathan Smith was named to the All-America Open Skipper team while fellow junior Ellie Alex garnered All-American Crew distinction. Appearing as Honorable Mention All-Americans, sophomore Henry Allgeier was honored for his efforts as an open skipper and fellow sophomore Fiona Cullen was recognized among crew.
 
Smith took home MAISA Open Skipper of the Year, while Alex was named MAISA Crew of the Year and assistant coach Dillon Paiva was named the MAISA Coach of the Year.
 
 Smith, fellow junior Jack Welburn and Allgeier were all selected to the All-MAISA First Team as open skippers, while senior Evie Blauvelt was named a First-Team All-MAISA women's skipper and earning All-MAISA First Team crew distinction were Alex, fellow junior Darby Graham and Cullen. On the All-MAISA Second Team were junior women's skipper Ava Farley and senior crew Ryan Wahba.
 
Academically, senior Tanner Kelly earned Graduate with Distinction Honors, ranking 70th in the Class of 2024 in Overall Order of Merit, which includes academics, military performance, conduct and physical education standing.
 
The Navy intercollegiate sailing team opens the 2025-26 season on Saturday, Sept. 6.