Until this year, Navy’s intense rivalry with Army had been lopsided in the pool. But last weekend, the Black Knights ended their drought by beating the Midshipmen, 189-111, to break the Navy men’s 31-year winning streak in the annual Star Meet.
The streak, which dated all the way back to December of 1990, stands as the second-longest in the history of the Army-Navy rivalry, in any sport. The longest winning streak in series history belongs to the Navy women, who extended their run of dominance to 34 years in a row with their 172.5-127.5 victory over Army last weekend.
Longest Winning Streaks at Any Point in the Army-Navy Rivalry
- Navy women’s swimming – 34
- Navy men’s swimming – 31
- Navy men’s tennis – 22
- Navy men’s wrestling – 19
- Navy women’s water polo – 18
The next-longest active streak is Navy men’s outdoor track with 10 wins in a row heading into this year’s meet in April.
Navy has the advantage in Star Games across all sports over the past decade (128-78-4), but Army holds a slight 5-4 edge this year ahead of Saturday afternoon’s anticipated football showdown.
The intense rivalry is unique in college sports because the two programs also serve a bigger purpose as U.S. military academies.
“Competition builds character, and the Army-Navy rivalry speaks volumes of both academies,” Army women’s team captain Angela Huang said. “Every Cadet and Midshipman knows that in the end, we all represent the United States of America and that we are all brothers and sisters in arms. But, what kind of siblings never fight?”
“Our rivalry is one built upon benevolent respect for one another, knowing we are fighting the same fight for our country, on the same team,” Navy women’s team captain Reagan Johnson said. “I understand that a day will come when Army’s women beat Navy, and we will congratulate them for their effort. Both teams have a common goal of excellence and want to win, but make no mistake, we will continue to work hard to ensure we sing the blue and gold second.”
For four years, the two programs are “bitter enemies,” as Navy men’s team captain Nathan Roodzant put it. Then suddenly, they become lifelong teammates after graduating.
“It’s not just any old swim meet,” Roodzant said. “It is hard to describe the atmospheres of the rivalry meets because they are on a different level of electric. You can feel the excitement unlike any other event I’ve been to. Everyone is locked in for one goal: beating the other team.
“At the end of the day, we are all swimmers who know that swimming will not be our career or what defines us,” he added. “We have all decided to answer our nation’s call, and there is a lot of respect on both sides to the other for making that decision that few of our peers make. For us, it’s that we are bitter enemies for four years, and then we are brothers in arms afterwards. The animosity that we manufacture in our minds about the other team so as to gain a mental edge is just that: manufactured. We know deep down that we will all ultimately be serving our country and the things that we do now pale in comparison to that vocation. It’s all beat Army from here, though!”
Army swim coach Brandt Nigro credited the intensity of the rivalry as one of the main reasons why he decided to take the job in West Point three years ago.
“As I learned more about the rivalry and all the history of Army West Point and those who swam and dove here over the years, I was absolutely amazed and inspired; I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,” Nigro said. “The passion and excitement that goes into this meet specifically is one of a kind and hard to explain until you are a part of it. It’s the kind of rivalry that challenges you to your core and forces you to look in the mirror to figure out how to be your best and get it done. When you are part of the rivalry, there’s no hiding from it or shying away from it. It’s intense and gives the winning team bragging rights for a year and a special sense of accomplishment that is like no other.”
Nigro marveled at how much work these student-athletes balance between classes, military training, and the grueling schedule of a Division I swimmer or diver. The Black Knights abide by the team motto, “it takes what it takes.”
“Until this year, this rivalry, at least when it came to swimming and diving, has been very one-sided,” Nigro said. “It’s been an amazing experience to be part of the transformation and growth of this program. The cadets at all three academies are challenged in everything they do from academics, to their military training, to their leadership development, and when you add elite, focused Division 1 swimming and diving to the mix, it’s absolutely incredible at all they do each day.
“We have a saying on this team that drives us each day: “It takes what it takes,” which simply means to be great at anything in your life, you have to drop the excuses and find a way to make it happen,” he added. “Despite 20+ credit hours per semester, summer trainings, mid-day briefs, etc., if you want to beat Navy, win Patriots, make NCAAs/OTs, “it takes what it takes.” This team has embraced and embodies this mentality and is now a part of history. I’m so proud of everything they’ve done individually and as a family both in the pool, but more importantly within the West Point community, and eventually, for the U.S. Army.”
They need to have and Army AF Navy trimeet
Great article! Awesome win for Army. The level of the teams will only continue to rise. Hopefully to the NCAA level in the next few years.
Great article on how the swimming community at West Point has changed over the past few years Every one should be proud of these Men and Women
Good article Riley thank you!