Many thanks to Ron Mita, who continues to compile this video tribute to the graduating seniors of the United States Naval Academy, many years after his son Riley Mita ‘15 graduated the team!
United States Naval Academy men’s swimming and diving team salutes its graduating class of 2021 whose members became commissioned officers upon their graduation on May 28th. Those who were not training for Olympic Trials reported to their duty stations to begin their years of service as officers in the United States Navy.
The Firstie Salue video below begins with Induction Day on June 27, 2017, gives a brief introduction of each of the NMSD graduates, and ends with their service selections. Upon graduation in May, the young men listed below were commissioned as either Ensigns (Navy) or Second Lieutenants (Marines). One will join the Navy Seals; three will be Navy Pilots; one will be in Navy Intelligence; four will join the Marine Corps; one will be assigned to EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal; and one will be a Surface Warfare Officer.
The class of 2021 is the 100th graduating class of swimmers from the Academy. During their four years in Annapolis, this group of Midshipmen won four consecutive Patriot League championships, qualified for NCAAs, and etched their names in record books. Watch the tribute video to see where they will begin their careers as commissioned officers in the United States Navy.
https://vimeo.com/560976444
CHRIS BONDAROWICZ
- Service Selection: Navy Seal
- Hometown: Scotch Plains, New Jersey
- High School: Scotch Plains Fanwood High School
- Club Team: Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Named a CSCAA Scholar-All American (honorable mention) in 2020. Earned academic honors from the USNA in three semesters. Received Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018 and ’19 and a First-Team nod in 2020.
BILLY CADIGAN
- Service Selection: Navy Pilot
- Hometown: Lutherville, Maryland
- Club Team: North Baltimore Aquatic Club
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Earned academic honors from the USNA. First-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018 and ’19 and a Second-Team award in 2020.
PATRICK CARTER
- Service Selection: Navy Intelligence
- Hometown: West Islip, New York
- High School: West Islip High School
- Club Team: New York Diving Club
- Earned academic honors from the USNA in five semesters. Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in 2019 and ‘ Earned Second-Team All-Patriot League accolades in 2019 and a First-Team award in 2020.
DANIEL COOK
- Service Selection: Marine Corps
- Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- High School: Norfolk Academy
- Club Team: Old Dominion Aquatic Club
- Was selected as a CSCAA National Scholar-Athlete (Honorable Mention) in 2018 and ‘ Made the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2019 and ’20. Named to the 2018, ’19 and ’20 Patriot League Academic Honor Rolls. Earned the bronze medal in the 100 free.
JACK DUNWORTH
- Service Selection: Navy Pilot
- Hometown: Austin, Texas
- High School: Westlake High School
- Club Team: Soaring Eagles Dive Club
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Received academic honors. Earned Second-Team All-Patriot League accolades in 2020.
JAKE HEDRICK
- Service Selection: Marine Corps
- Hometown: Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
- High School: Hershey High School
- Club Team: Austin Swim Club
- Named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2020. Earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018 and ’19 and First-Team laurels in 2020.
LUKE JOHNSON
- Service Selection: EOD – Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
- High School: South Mecklenburg High School
- Club Team: SwimMAC Carolina
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018, ’19 and ‘ Received CSCAA All-America honors for qualifying for the 2020 NCAA Championship. Named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2019 and ’20.
DEAN NGUYEN
- Service Selection: Surface Warfare Officer
- Hometown: Seattle, Washington
- Club Team: Central Area Aquatics Club
- Received academic honors from the USNA in one semester. Earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2019 and a First-Team laurel in 2020. 2019 ECAC Swimmer of the Meet.
MICAH OH
- Service Selection: Navy Pilot
- Hometown: Kent, Washington
- Club Team: King Aquatic Club
- Earned COSIDA First-Team Academic All-America honors in 2020. Selected as a CSCAA National Scholar-Athlete (Honorable Mention) in 2018 and ‘ Named the 2020 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his sport. Named to the Patriot League All-Academic Team in 2019 and ’20. Awarded the 2020 Patriot League Swimmer of the Year. Earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2019 and ’20.
DOMINICK WALLACE
- Service Selection: Marine Corps
- Hometown: La Jolla, California
- High School: La Jolla High School
- Club Team: Wind N Sea Swim Team
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Selected as a CSCAA National Scholar-Athlete (Honorable Mention) in 2018. Named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll in 2018 and ‘ Earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018 and First-Team all-league accolades in 2019 and ’20.
RYAN WATERS
- Service Selection: Marine Corps
- Hometown: Basking Ridge, New Jersey
- High School: Morristown-Beard School
- Club Team: Somerset Valley YMCA
- 2022 Olympic Trials Qualifier
- Earned First-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2018, ’19 and ‘
- 2020: Won the 200 free and 500 free and placed second in the 1650 free at the Patriot League Championship.
Finest men in swimming. #gonavy #beatarmy
Godspeed….our Nation needs your example and leadership.
Our nation’s very best!….congratulations & best wishes to each of these graduates, & those of our four military academies, for success.
SWOba Dean
Proud to say I’ve know Luke Johnson since birth (in Charlotte, NC) and I’ve had the opportunity to meet most of these amazing men. The paths they’ve chosen are challenging and dangerous. Wishing them all the best and thanking them for their service.
Thank you for your service, gentlemen.
Update: Chris is a Wave 2 Olympic trials competitor