Team: Navy Midshipmen
Stephens Center
Championships: 0
Headcoach: Paul Johnson
Navy is one of the few Division I schools where all athletes must meet rigorous academic expectations. This is what makes Midshipmen a role model, successfully maintaining that balance between athletics and academics at a highly competitive level. ... (more)
Navy is one of the few Division I schools where all athletes must meet rigorous academic expectations. This is what makes Midshipmen a role model, successfully maintaining that balance between athletics and academics at a highly competitive level.
The United States Naval Academy announced its major athletic award winners at Alumni Hall.Matt Russell was named the winner of the NAAA Sword for Men, presented to that man of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in men's athletics during his years of varsity competition.
Russell made a mark in history as one of the sport's all-time great goalkeepers, setting the NCAA single-season and career goals-against average (6.28). Russell, who owned a career record of 37-9 and was named National Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004 (the Kelly Award), is a shoo-in to earn All-America recognition for the third-straight year, becoming just the third goalkeeper in school history to be named a three-time All-American. Russell is the 19th different lacrosse player to win the award, which was established in 1893, and the first since Adam Borcz in 2001. Ashley Musser (Industry, Pa.) was awarded the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women, which is presented to that woman of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in women's athletics during her years of varsity competition. Musser was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection in 2005 and was second team in 2003. She ranks first and second for service aces in a season (68 in 2004 and 67 in 2003) and holds the school record for career aces (212). Musser ranks fifth at Navy with 2,334 career assists. Musser is the second volleyball player to win the award, established in 1980, and the first since Bernie Boska in 1981. Joe Smutz (Marriottsville, Md.) was awarded the Thompson Trophy Cup, which is presented to that midshipman, male or female, who has done the most during the year to promote athletics at the Naval Academy.
Smutz, who overcame a broken neck suffered in a swimming accident in July of 2004, was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the 2006 Patriot League Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 50 and 200 freestyle events and placing second in the 100 free at the league meet. Smutz also was a part of three winning relay teams at the championship to bring his three-year career total to eight. Smutz is the first men's swimmer to win the award since it was established in 1894. Tanner Garrett (Tulsa, Okla.) was awarded the men's Coaches' Calvert Award, presented to that man in the graduating class who has persevered the most in his career.
Garrett finished his career as one of the most successful wrestlers in school history, recording a 114-33 record. As a senior, Garrett compiled a nation's-best 43 wins against five losses and reached the NCAA Championship for a third-straight year where he advanced to the round of eight. His 43 wins rank as the second most in school history for a single season and he finished his career winning 36-straight dual meets. Garrett is the fourth member of the wrestling team to win the award, which started in 1973, and is the first since Ed Dewald in 1990. Andrea Wernecke (Gaithersburg, Md.) was awarded the women's Coaches' Calvert Award, presented to that woman in the graduating class who has persevered the most in her career.
Navy is one of the few Division I schools where all athletes must meet rigorous academic expectations. This is what makes Midshipmen a role model, successfully maintaining that balance between athletics and academics at a highly competitive level.
The United States Naval Academy announced its major athletic award winners at Alumni Hall.Matt Russell was named the winner of the NAAA Sword for Men, presented to that man of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in men's athletics during his years of varsity competition.
Russell made a mark in history as one of the sport's all-time great goalkeepers, setting the NCAA single-season and career goals-against average (6.28). Russell, who owned a career record of 37-9 and was named National Goalkeeper of the Year in 2004 (the Kelly Award), is a shoo-in to earn All-America recognition for the third-straight year, becoming just the third goalkeeper in school history to be named a three-time All-American. Russell is the 19th different lacrosse player to win the award, which was established in 1893, and the first since Adam Borcz in 2001. Ashley Musser (Industry, Pa.) was awarded the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women, which is presented to that woman of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in women's athletics during her years of varsity competition. Musser was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection in 2005 and was second team in 2003. She ranks first and second for service aces in a season (68 in 2004 and 67 in 2003) and holds the school record for career aces (212). Musser ranks fifth at Navy with 2,334 career assists. Musser is the second volleyball player to win the award, established in 1980, and the first since Bernie Boska in 1981. Joe Smutz (Marriottsville, Md.) was awarded the Thompson Trophy Cup, which is presented to that midshipman, male or female, who has done the most during the year to promote athletics at the Naval Academy.
Smutz, who overcame a broken neck suffered in a swimming accident in July of 2004, was a three-time All-Patriot League selection and the 2006 Patriot League Swimmer of the Meet after winning the 50 and 200 freestyle events and placing second in the 100 free at the league meet. Smutz also was a part of three winning relay teams at the championship to bring his three-year career total to eight. Smutz is the first men's swimmer to win the award since it was established in 1894. Tanner Garrett (Tulsa, Okla.) was awarded the men's Coaches' Calvert Award, presented to that man in the graduating class who has persevered the most in his career.
Garrett finished his career as one of the most successful wrestlers in school history, recording a 114-33 record. As a senior, Garrett compiled a nation's-best 43 wins against five losses and reached the NCAA Championship for a third-straight year where he advanced to the round of eight. His 43 wins rank as the second most in school history for a single season and he finished his career winning 36-straight dual meets. Garrett is the fourth member of the wrestling team to win the award, which started in 1973, and is the first since Ed Dewald in 1990. Andrea Wernecke (Gaithersburg, Md.) was awarded the women's Coaches' Calvert Award, presented to that woman in the graduating class who has persevered the most in her career.
