Coast Guard Academy Athletics Ranked 65th Nationally for DIII Colleges

Bears Ranked in Top 15 Percent of Learfield Directors' Cup Standings

New London, CT – After one of the greatest winter sports seasons in Coast Guard Academy history, the Bears are ranked 65th nationally in the Learfield Directors' Cup Division III standings heading into the spring championship season.

There are 451 Division III schools in the country, which places the Bears in the top 15 percent of the Division III Learfield Cup standings this season.

** COMPLETE DIRECTORS' CUP STANDINGS ** 

The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

The Bears are the third highest team from the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) after earning 171.5 points during the winter season. Coast Guard did not earn a point during the fall season.

Our strong performance competitively in this year's Learfield Director's Cup standings is reflective of the ongoing sincere commitment, superior effort and deep desire to succeed that CGA's fine cadet-athletes and coaches bring to bear each and every day," said Tim Fitzpatrick, Coast Guard Academy Director of Athletics. "We are in the business first and foremost of doing our job as a program to build outstanding young officers who will one day lead the world's finest Coast Guard. In that spirit, we believe that being successful competitively in Athletics helps to develop the self-confidence, perseverance and grit that ultimately yields outstanding young men and women who have become leaders of character."

The wrestling team led the way with 50.5 points at the NCAA Division III Championships as the Bears had a program record four wrestlers compete with junior Nick Remke placing 5th at 165 pounds and sophomore Owen McClave placing 7th at 133 pounds to earn All-America honors.

The women's swim team totaled 42.5 points at the NCAA Division III Championships as the 800 freestyle relay of freshman Sarah Passilla, junior Kristen Young, freshman Emily Benson and junior Christine McCulla earned honorable mention All-America honors.

Freshman Eric Fuhs led the charge for the men's swim team, which earned 25 points, as he earned All-America honors with an eighth place finish in the 200 breaststroke.

The women's indoor track team earned 36.5 points while the men's track team added 17 points to the winter tally.

The women's DMR of junior Anita Green (3:42), sophomore Anna Beck (58.6), senior Ashlee Johnson (2:16.6) and freshman Kaitlyn Mooney (4:52.5) earned All-America honors, finishing in seventh place while Mooney finished in 5th place in the 3K earning All-America honors for the third time this season.

The men's 4x400 of juniors Jacob Pawlina and Benjamin Taminger and seniors Luke Rehfuss and Raeford Penny earned All-America honors with a seventh place finish.