Around the Yard: Service Academy Athletics Dominate the Weekend

Army Football: The Black Knights break into the AP Top 25

The Army Black Knights came in at No. 23 in the AP Poll this week. This is the first time in 22 years that Army has appeared in the AP Poll. The Black Knights currently have a record of 9-2 with just the Army-Navy game left on their record season schedule.

We are now entering Army-Navy game territory, as the Black Knights are already looking towards the Midshipmen and Navy will turn their focus to Army after facing Tulane on Saturday. Coach Jeff Monken spoke to Jim Rome about why this is the biggest game in college football every season!

Army Cross Country represented at Nationals by Roman Ollar

Junior, Roman Ollar, raced in the NCAA National Championship 10k this weekend, and finished in the top third of all racers. Ollar was only the fourth cadet to qualify for the nationals since 1998. With him being a junior, we can only imagine the best is yet to come from Ollar and the Army Men’s Cross Country team.

Air Force: Soccer Advances to Sweet Sixteen

The Air Force Men’s soccer team defeated the University of Denver by a score of 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament this Sunday. This will be just the second time in school history that Air Force has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. The Falcons are in for a tough battle, next Sunday, against No. 2 Indiana. The Hoosiers have historically been a college soccer powerhouse, and this year will be no different.

Jaci Smith earns All-American status at NCAA meet:

Becoming just the second Air Force female to earn All-American honors at the Division One level, Jaci Smith wrapped up an outstanding cross country season by finishing 27th at the NCAA national meet last weekend with a time of 20:27.7. That was good for the second highest finish by a female in Air Force history as well!

Navy: Midshipmen Volleyball, Football take center stage

Navy Women’s Volleyball win Patriot League Championship

The Navy Women’s Volleyball team made history this weekend by winning their first Patriot League title ever. This title will give the team their first opportunity to compete in the NCAA tournament in school history. The team will know who their first opponent in the tournament will be on Sunday, November 25th when the brackets are announced.

Navy Football ends the drought

By no means has this been an easy year for Navy Football. But the Week 12 win over Tulsa may be turning the season in a different direction. Navy defeated Tulsa, 37-29. The defense still struggled, but the Midshipmen offense looks to be finding its groove. Navy heads to New Orleans to take on Tulane in their final game before the Army-Navy game.

Navy Water Polo earns Honors as well

Two members of the Navy Men’s Water Polo team earned honors in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference-West Region All-Tournament team: Bobby Lee and Isaac Salinas. Lee is a sophomore and led the team with six goals in the tournament. Salinas, who won 2018 MAWPC-East Rookie of the Year, is a freshman and looks to be the future of Navy Water Polo. Navy was knocked out of the tournament in the fifth-place game against Johns Hopkins; however, Navy did have their first winning season since 2015 this year.

Navy Squash still undefeated

Prior to the weekend, Navy squash held a record of 7-0. By Sunday, the team had won another three matches to bring them to 10 wins on the year. Navy Squash is currently ranked at 14, but will be trending up so long as they continue to win and remain unbeaten. Navy defeated No. 22 MIT, No. 18 Dickinson, and unranked Denison.