Navy Sailing Sweeps Top Two Spots at Washington College Fall Open, Adds Fourth-Place Nevins Trophy Finish
By Brian Hradsky
October 20, 2026
The Navy Midshipmen intercollegiate sailing team continued its impressive fall season over the October 17-18 weekend, sweeping the top two positions at the Washington College Fall Open Fleet Race in Chestertown, Maryland. Navy also secured a fourth-place finish at the prestigious Nevins Trophy in Kings Point, New York, while its women’s team placed 15th at the Atlantic Coast Championship Finals in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Sophomore Liam Christopher and freshman Jia Qi Zhan led Navy’s championship-winning team in the A division, while freshmen Gian Marco Piovanetti and Ella Seymour captured the top position in the B division. The results demonstrated Navy’s depth across multiple sailing disciplines as the Midshipmen continued preparing for the final stretch of their fall championship schedule.
Navy Claims First and Second at Washington College Fall Open
Navy entered two teams in the 16-team Washington College Fall Open, creating an unusual situation in which the Midshipmen’s greatest competition came from within their own program. Both Navy entries separated themselves from the rest of the field early in the regatta, consistently finishing near the front and establishing a battle for the overall championship. The teams remained closely matched throughout the weekend, with the lead changing during the final series of races. Navy ultimately secured both first and second place, completing a dominant performance against the rest of the field.
The championship-winning entry featured Christopher and Zhan in the A division, with Piovanetti and Seymour competing in the B division. Both combinations finished first in their respective divisions, providing the consistency necessary to capture the overall title. The Midshipmen remained within striking distance throughout the competition before finishing with four consecutive race victories. That closing stretch proved decisive and allowed Navy’s winning team to move ahead of its teammates in the final standings.
Navy’s second-place team also delivered an outstanding performance, particularly during the opening stages of the regatta. Freshmen Jules Buczkowski and Lydia Sayner-Oubre won the first five A-division races and helped their team maintain the overall lead through the sixth race. Their early dominance established Navy as the program to beat and forced the other competitors to chase the Midshipmen throughout the event. Although the team surrendered the overall lead during the final series, its performance remained strong enough to secure runner-up honors.
Buczkowski and Sayner-Oubre finished second in the A division, while fellow freshmen Henry Scalise and Scarlet Hanson placed second in the B division. Their combined results gave Navy another podium finish and completed the program’s sweep of the top two overall positions. The performance was particularly encouraging because seven of the eight sailors representing Navy’s two entries were freshmen. Their ability to compete successfully against a full collegiate field demonstrated the strength of the program’s developing talent.
Navy’s Depth Overwhelms the Competition
The Washington College Fall Open highlighted Navy’s ability to field multiple competitive teams without sacrificing overall performance. Rather than relying on one dominant entry, the Midshipmen placed two separate groups at the front of the standings and maintained their advantage throughout the weekend. Both teams received strong contributions from their A- and B-division sailors, allowing Navy to control the competition despite the changing race results. The championship ultimately came down to which Navy team could produce the strongest closing performance.
The winning team’s four consecutive victories during the final stretch demonstrated its ability to respond under pressure. Christopher and Zhan established themselves as the top A-division combination, while Piovanetti and Seymour matched that success in the B division. Their balanced performance proved especially valuable because collegiate fleet racing rewards consistency across multiple races rather than isolated victories. Navy’s ability to maintain strong results in both divisions allowed the team to overcome its early deficit and secure the championship.
The runner-up team also showed considerable potential despite narrowly missing the overall title. Buczkowski and Sayner-Oubre’s five consecutive A-division victories represented one of the most impressive individual stretches of the regatta. Scalise and Hanson provided additional consistency in the B division, helping the team remain ahead of the remaining competitors. The combination of experienced leadership and promising young sailors should continue benefiting Navy as the program develops its roster for future championship competition.
Washington College, the host institution, finished third behind Navy’s two entries. The Shoremen and Shorewomen accumulated 81 points, with their A division contributing 42 and their B division adding 39. The host team remained competitive but could not match the consistency demonstrated by Navy’s leading crews. The result reinforced the Midshipmen’s strong performance while providing valuable racing experience for all three programs.
Midshipmen Finish Fourth at Nevins Trophy
While two Navy teams competed in Chestertown, another group of Midshipmen traveled to the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, for the Nevins Trophy. The prestigious regatta featured 18 teams and presented challenging sailing conditions throughout the weekend. Strong winds tested competitors Saturday before the breeze gradually weakened Sunday, forcing sailors to adjust their strategies and boat handling. Navy demonstrated impressive heavy-wind skills and remained among the top three teams for much of the competition.
The Midshipmen performed particularly well during Saturday’s stronger winds, using effective boat control and tactical decisions to remain near the front of the standings. However, the changing conditions Sunday created additional challenges as the wind weakened and became less consistent. Navy struggled to maintain the same level of performance during the final races and eventually slipped to fourth place overall. Despite missing the podium, the result represented another strong finish against a competitive national field.
Junior Sean Trudell, junior Molly Jethwa and sophomore Ethan Martin represented Navy in the A division, combining for an eighth-place finish. Their performance provided important points against a deep group of collegiate sailors competing in difficult conditions. Sophomore Leo Robillard and junior Gregory Lesmerises-DeGraff delivered an even stronger result in the B division, finishing third overall. Their contribution helped Navy remain competitive for a podium position throughout most of the weekend.
The Nevins Trophy performance demonstrated Navy’s ability to compete against strong programs in demanding weather conditions. The Midshipmen’s success during the heavy winds was particularly encouraging because those conditions require technical precision, communication and confidence. Sunday’s struggles also provided an opportunity to identify areas for improvement when racing in fading and inconsistent breezes. Navy will look to apply those lessons as the team prepares for additional championship events.
Navy Women Compete at Atlantic Coast Championship Finals
Navy’s women’s sailing team also faced a demanding weekend at the Women’s Atlantic Coast Championship Finals in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. The event brought together 18 teams that advanced from the opening round of the championship series two weeks earlier. The remaining 17 teams competed in a separate consolation tournament hosted by Navy in Annapolis. The championship field featured some of the strongest women’s collegiate sailing programs in the country, creating a valuable opportunity for the Midshipmen to compete against nationally competitive opponents.
The conditions at St. Mary’s proved especially challenging, with powerful gusts and constantly shifting winds affecting racing throughout the weekend. Sailors needed to adjust their strategies quickly as wind direction and strength changed across the course. Navy encountered difficulties maintaining consistent results against the deep field and eventually finished 15th overall. Although the Midshipmen did not contend for the championship, the experience provided important lessons against elite competition.
Freshmen Madeleine Garrett and Chloe Shurr joined seniors Mary Dwyer and Darby Dryden to represent Navy in the A division. The group finished 15th in its division after competing through the unpredictable conditions. Senior Josie Sherry, freshman Kaya Hancock and junior Melania Gonzalez represented the Midshipmen in the B division, finishing 14th. Both groups gained valuable experience navigating challenging conditions while competing against strong opponents.
The championship provided another important development opportunity for Navy’s younger sailors, particularly those participating in a major national-level event for the first time. Garrett, Shurr and Hancock gained experience alongside upperclassmen who have competed in numerous collegiate regattas. Their exposure to a deep championship field should help strengthen their tactical awareness and ability to respond to changing conditions. Navy will look to build on that experience as its women’s program continues competing during the fall season.
Navy Continues Strong October Sailing Schedule
The latest results followed another successful weekend for Navy’s intercollegiate sailing program. On October 12, the Midshipmen captured the Open Oyster Bowl championship in Washington, D.C., while also earning second place in the women’s portion of the event. Navy additionally finished second at the MAISA Match Race Championship for the Intrepid Trophy and fifth in the opening round of the Open Atlantic Coast Championship. Those performances established momentum heading into the Washington College Fall Open and Nevins Trophy.
Navy’s recent success has been particularly encouraging because different groups of sailors have contributed across multiple regattas. The program has demonstrated its ability to compete in fleet racing, match racing and championship-level competition while developing younger athletes. Several freshmen have already produced significant results during the fall season, providing valuable experience for future competition. That depth should remain important as Navy continues navigating a demanding schedule against established collegiate programs.
The Midshipmen have also benefited from competing in a variety of weather conditions throughout October. Light winds, heavy rain, strong gusts and shifting breezes have all presented different challenges during recent regattas. Those experiences have forced Navy’s sailors to adjust their strategies and develop greater versatility on the water. The ability to respond effectively to changing conditions will become increasingly important as the fall championship schedule continues.
Three Major Regattas Await Navy Next Weekend
Navy will return to competition October 24-25 with three events scheduled across the East Coast. The Midshipmen will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, for the Open Atlantic Coast Championship Finals, one of the most important events remaining on the fall schedule. Navy will also compete at the Tom Curtis Regatta in Washington, D.C., and the Yale Women’s Regatta in New Haven, Connecticut. The demanding schedule will provide additional opportunities for different groups of sailors to contribute.
The Open Atlantic Coast Championship Finals will be particularly significant because Navy advanced through the opening round earlier in October. The Midshipmen finished fifth during that qualifying event, earning a place among the championship competitors. Navy will look to improve its consistency against the stronger field while applying lessons learned during recent regattas. The event will provide another opportunity to measure the program’s progress against nationally competitive sailing teams.
The Tom Curtis Regatta and Yale Women’s Regatta will also offer valuable opportunities for Navy’s developing sailors. Both events will feature competitive fields and provide additional racing experience during the final portion of the fall season. Navy’s ability to distribute its roster across several regattas has already produced encouraging results throughout October. The Midshipmen will attempt to maintain that success while preparing for the remainder of their championship schedule.
MSB Take
Navy’s sweep of the top two positions at the Washington College Fall Open was an outstanding accomplishment and demonstrated the remarkable depth of the Midshipmen’s sailing program. Having two separate teams compete for the championship throughout an entire regatta is impressive, particularly when both entries consistently outperform the rest of a 16-team field. Christopher, Zhan, Piovanetti and Seymour deserve recognition for their strong closing performance, while Buczkowski, Sayner-Oubre, Scalise and Hanson also delivered excellent results. The fact that seven of those eight sailors are freshmen makes the accomplishment even more encouraging for Navy’s future.
The fourth-place finish at the Nevins Trophy also deserves recognition because the Midshipmen competed against a strong field while navigating difficult weather conditions. Navy remained among the top three teams for much of the event before fading winds created additional challenges during Sunday’s racing. Robillard and Lesmerises-DeGraff provided an important third-place B-division performance, demonstrating the program’s ability to compete near the front against established opponents. Improving consistency in lighter and shifting winds should become a priority as Navy prepares for its upcoming championship competitions.
Although the women’s team finished 15th at the Atlantic Coast Championship Finals, the experience gained against elite competition should benefit the program moving forward. Navy’s younger sailors encountered difficult conditions and a deep field, providing valuable opportunities to develop their skills alongside experienced teammates. The Midshipmen have demonstrated throughout October that they possess the talent and depth necessary to compete across several major regattas simultaneously. If Navy continues building on those strengths while addressing its consistency in changing conditions, the program should remain competitive during the final portion of the fall championship schedule.
