ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The #8 Navy rifle team (0-0) is set to open its 2026-27 campaign at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 as it hosts #3 TCU (0-0) and VMI (0-0) in a meet at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range. Live results will be available.
 
Accessing the USNA
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is closed to all vehicles without a Department of Defense-approved identification card. All other visitors are encouraged to park downtown and walk through the security gates at Gate 1. When walking on, those ages 18 and over must present a photo identification card (driver's license) to gain access and those ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
 
Team Captain
Navy rifle head coach Mike Anti announced that senior Isabella Baldwin has been selected by her teammates to serve as the Mids' team captain for the 2026-27 season.
 
Baldwin, a three-year letter winner, has appeared in 41 matches over her first three seasons at Navy during which she has compiled averages of 587.4 in smallbore, 595.4 in air rifle, and an aggregate average of 1182.8. Throughout her career, the Nashville native has earned nine Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) All-American accolades, as well as nine All-Great America Rifle Conference selections.
 
Along with her efforts on the range, Baldwin has been recognized for her efforts in the classroom, as she was named a CRCA Scholastic All-American three times, CSC Academic All-District twice, and CSC Academic All-American once.
 
Last season, Baldwin was one of the Midshipmen's top contributors. She appeared in all 13 contests, recording season averages of 587.1 in smallbore, 596.8 in air rifle, and 1183.8 in aggregate. Additionally, she became the second shooter in program history to record a perfect 600 in air rifle, accomplishing the feat with teammate Tyler Wee. It is believed that the duo is the first set of teammates in NCAA history to shoot a perfect score at the same competition.
 
Scouting the Midshipmen
The Navy rifle team capped off an outstanding 2025-26 season with a 15-4 overall record, securing the program's seventh winning season in the last eight years. The Midshipmen reestablished dominance in key rivalry competitions, scoring 5891 points to win the President's Trophy Match for the first time since 2008 and snap Air Force's 11-year winning streak. Navy also earned its fifth consecutive Star Match victory over Army with a 5904-5839 win at West Point. In postseason competition, the team finished third in the Great America Rifle Conference (GARC) Championship and secured a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championship during the program's 30th national championship appearance.
 
The Midshipmen rewrote the program record book throughout the campaign, establishing new all-time team season averages in smallbore (2347.5), air rifle (2381.4), and aggregate scoring (4728.9), while setting single-match team scoring records in all three disciplines. Individually, Tyler Wee delivered a historic rookie season, setting Navy individual season average records in smallbore (590.1), air rifle (598.6), and aggregate (1188.7), as well as setting the single-match aggregate record of 1193. T. Wee recorded three perfect 600 scores in air rifle during the season and was joined by Isabella Baldwin at The Citadel, making them believed to be the first set of teammates in NCAA history to shoot a perfect air rifle score at the same competition.
 
Navy shooters and coaches accumulated major postseason honors. T. Wee became the first Midshipman in program history to be named both GARC Rookie of the Year and CRCA National Rookie of the Year. T. Wee, Baldwin – who was selected as Navy's GARC Scholar-Athlete of the Year – and Parker Haydin combined for nine All-GARC honors and nine CRCA All-American selections. Head coach Mike Anti was named GARC Coach of the Year for the third time and was awarded the 2026 Heinz Lenz Fellowship Award, while Lou MacKenzie earned GARC Assistant Coach of the Year honors for the second straight season.
 
Scouting TCU
For the sixth straight season, TCU will open the season at Navy. Last season, the TCU rifle team concluded action at the 2026 NCAA Rifle Championships in Columbus, Ohio, finishing second among the eight participating teams at the event. TCU's smallbore score of 2354 was tied for second while its 2387 in air rifle was second alone. Katie Zaun's aggregate score of 1191 was third among all competitors.
 
Scouting VMI
VMI rifle heads to Annapolis for the first match of the season. The Keydets enter the season looking to build on a strong 2025-26 campaign that included several individual accomplishments and continued team progress. Alexander Pohlman made program history last season when he became the first VMI shooter to receive an invitation to the NCAA Championships after firing a program-record 587 in smallbore at the NCAA Qualifier. He also captured the Virginia State air rifle title, while Darian Tweedell earned a medal at the Virginia State Qualifiers.
 
Up Next
Following its opening-weekend, Navy will return to action Saturday, October 18 as it hits the road for a pair of matches. The Midshipmen open up the Great America Rifle Conference season at Akron on Saturday, Oct. 3, before concluding the weekend at Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 4.