Men’s Swimming & Diving Travels to Navy

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point men's swimming and diving team will compete in its final dual-meet of 2015 Thursday when the Black Knights travel to Annapolis, Md., to take on the Midshipmen for the annual Army-Navy Star Meet. The Cadets will face Navy at the Lejeune Hall at 5 p.m.

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VENUE • Lejune Hall | Annapolis, Md.
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"Our team is really looking forward to swimming fast," said head coach Mickey Wender. "We are rested, shaved and in fast suits in a fast pool for the first time this season, and it is a great opportunity for our team to do their best. This particular rivalry is unique and exciting. Facing Navy always seems to bring out the best in our athletes."

The Black Knights had a three week break from competition after a second-place performance at the Terrier Invitational where Jay Yang broke two individual medley Academy and plebe records.

Yang placed third in the 200 IM, setting a new Academy and plebe records. His time of 1:49.52 topped the previous record set by Army Hall of Famer John VanSant in 1986 (1:49.56). He also notched a Boston University pool record and won the 400 IM by more than three seconds with a time of 3:56.04.

Tom Ottman was also a standout as he cracked onto the record board with a plebe-best time in the 1650 free. He clocked a 15:33.09 to top Mark Matheson's time of 15:36.05 set in 1988.

"I feel good about this team and what they have done so far this year," said Wender. "They have set themselves apart from any teams I have coached in my tenure. Their consistency and work ethic has impressed me, and they have been a very professional and determined group.

"It is a different culture in terms of their ability to perform consistently. What we did at Fordham and Columbia are examples of our resiliency and focusing on the task at hand. We were able to do what was necessary to be successful."

The 2015-16 squad is 4-0 thus far in dual-meet competitions with wins over Binghamton, NJIT, UMass and Columbia. The current roster makes up 36 percent of Army West Point's All-Time Top 10 Times List, including eight Academy and 12 plebe records.

"Our plebes have been tremendous and really added a remarkable amount of value early on," Wender commented. "I credit upper classmen for acclimating them so quickly and giving them the resources to be contributing factors in the team. The firsties have helped us get to this level and it is exciting for them to have their last Army-Navy experience. We are looking forward to it."

Navy leads the all-time series 47-29 over the Black Knights.

Fans can follow the action with the live broadcast on the Patriot League Network. Rowdy Gaines, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the lead analyst for NBC's Olympic swimming coverage will be on the call for the rivalry meet. Fans can also follow the link through Meet Mobile or on their computer by clicking this link.

Admission is free to the 1,000-seat facility. Fans are reminded that only those vehicles driven by someone with a Department of Defense identification card will be allowed access to the USNA grounds. All other fans must park outside of The Yard in downtown Annapolis and walk through the Gate One Visitor Center entrance.

Everyone age 18 and above must display a valid picture identification card (State issued driver's license, student I.D., or a government issued passport) to obtain entrance to the USNA (State issued driver's license, student I.D., or a government issued passport). Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

For up-to-date information about Army swimming and diving, please follow @ArmyWP_SwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.

Men’s Swimming & Diving Travels to Navy

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Players Mentioned

Tom Ottman

Jay Yang

Army West Point Athletics