Navy Swimming Dominates Weekend While Water Polo Splits Conference Matchups
By Brian Hradsky
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy Midshipmen enjoyed a busy weekend of competition as the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams delivered impressive performances at Lejeune Hall, while the nationally ranked men’s water polo team faced two challenging conference opponents in New York. Navy’s swimmers combined for six victories against UMBC, William & Mary and Loyola Maryland, along with a major upset of nationally ranked LSU by the men’s team. Meanwhile, the No. 15 water polo team battled No. 5 Fordham before bouncing back against Wagner. The results highlighted Navy’s depth in the pool as the fall athletic season continued.
Navy Swimming and Diving Sweeps Saturday Competition
October 10, 2026 | Lejeune Hall, Annapolis
| Matchup | Final score |
|---|---|
| Navy men vs. UMBC | W, 196–96 |
| Navy men vs. William & Mary | W, 181–105 |
| Navy women vs. UMBC | W, 240–59 |
| Navy women vs. William & Mary | W, 166–128 |
Navy’s men’s swimming and diving team improved to 4-0 after defeating both UMBC and William & Mary on Saturday. The Midshipmen won 13 of the meet’s 16 events, demonstrating their strength across individual swimming, diving and relay competitions. James Boardman dominated the diving events, winning the one-meter competition with 356.93 points and the three-meter event with 392.33 points. Jack Ussery added victories in the 100-yard breaststroke (56.50 seconds) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:05.86).
The Navy women also delivered a strong performance, improving to 3-1 with victories over both visiting programs. Allie Maloney led the swimmers with wins in the 200-yard freestyle (1:51.10) and 100-yard freestyle (51.56 seconds). Corinne Warriner, Clarice Spencer and Marley Barnard each captured individual victories, while Claire Ellish and Lily Barrett swept the diving competitions. The Midshipmen also claimed the 400-yard freestyle relay, completing an impressive afternoon against two competitive programs.
Navy’s weekend success followed Friday’s competition against LSU and Loyola Maryland, when the men’s team defeated nationally ranked LSU 167.5-132.5 and Loyola 236-54. The women’s team defeated Loyola 212-88 but fell to nationally ranked LSU 225.5-74.5. Those results gave Navy’s men’s program four victories over two days, while the women earned three wins in their four matchups. The performances provided both programs with an early-season measuring stick before the upcoming Army-Navy rivalry meet.
Historic Victory Over LSU Highlights Navy’s Weekend
Navy’s victory over No. 14 LSU was particularly significant because it marked the program’s first win against a current Southeastern Conference opponent. The Tigers also represented the highest-ranked team Navy has defeated since national swimming polls began approximately two decades ago. Martin Perecinsky won the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke, while Juan Mora, Dean Jones and Coleman Yates added individual victories. Luke Ogren and Boardman swept the diving events, helping the Midshipmen secure one of their most impressive early-season victories in program history.
No. 15 Navy Water Polo Splits Weekend in New York
October 10–11, 2026 | Bronx and Staten Island, New York
| Matchup | Final score |
|---|---|
| No. 15 Navy at No. 5 Fordham | L, 13–16 |
| No. 15 Navy at Wagner | W, 11–9 |
Navy’s men’s water polo team experienced mixed results during its weekend road trip, falling to fifth-ranked Fordham before recovering with a victory against Wagner. The Midshipmen entered the weekend as one of the nation’s top-ranked programs but faced a difficult challenge against the Rams in the Bronx. Fordham built a commanding advantage during the second half, including a seven-goal lead in the fourth quarter. Navy responded with a late offensive surge but could not erase the deficit, ultimately suffering a 16-13 defeat.
The Midshipmen showed resilience during the loss, scoring three unanswered goals to finish the contest. James Mulvey and Quinn Bartlett each contributed three goals against Fordham, while Kiefer Black added two. Fordham’s four-goal run during the third quarter proved particularly damaging, giving the Rams an 11-5 advantage. Although Navy continued attacking throughout the final period, the early deficit ultimately prevented a comeback against the nationally ranked opponent.
Navy returned to the pool Sunday against Wagner and produced a much-needed 11-9 victory at the Spiro Sports Center on Staten Island. Declan Bartlett led the offensive effort with four goals as the Midshipmen established a 6-3 halftime advantage. Wagner narrowed the margin to 8-6 entering the fourth quarter, but Navy answered with three consecutive goals to build an 11-6 lead. The Seahawks scored the final three goals, although Navy maintained enough separation to secure its 13th victory of the season.
Ten different Navy players scored during the two-game weekend, demonstrating the team’s offensive balance. Declan Bartlett led the Midshipmen with five total goals, followed by Quinn Bartlett with four and both Black and Mulvey with three. Goalkeepers Ryan Munch and Jack Rodoni combined for 21 saves across the two contests, with Munch recording 15 stops. Navy concluded the weekend with a 13-3 overall record and a 4-1 mark in Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference play.
What’s Next for Navy
Navy’s swimming and diving teams will have a break from competition before traveling to West Point to face Army on October 23. The rivalry meet will be the earliest Army-Navy swimming competition in series history, giving both programs an important early-season test. Navy’s men’s team enters the matchup undefeated, while the women will look to build on their three consecutive victories. Both teams will have an opportunity to carry their successful opening weekend into one of the most anticipated competitions on the schedule.
The Navy water polo team will return to action October 17-18 at the Brown/Harvard Invitational. The Midshipmen are scheduled to face Harvard and Long Island University on Saturday before meeting No. 19 Brown on Sunday. Those matchups will provide additional opportunities to compete against quality opponents as the postseason approaches. Navy will look to improve its 13-3 record while continuing to prepare for the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference championship.
MSB Take
Navy’s swimming and diving teams delivered the biggest headlines of the weekend, especially with the men’s historic victory over LSU. Defeating a nationally ranked SEC opponent while sweeping three additional teams sends a strong message about the Midshipmen’s potential this season. The women’s team also demonstrated impressive depth, bouncing back from its LSU loss with two commanding victories Saturday. With Army approaching, Navy has positioned itself for another exciting chapter in its longstanding rivalry.
The water polo team also deserves credit for its determination despite falling to Fordham. Navy faced one of the nation’s best programs and continued competing even after falling behind by seven goals. The response against Wagner demonstrated the team’s ability to recover quickly and secure an important conference victory. With a 13-3 record and several nationally ranked opponents on the schedule, the Midshipmen remain a program worth watching as November approaches.
Sources: Navy Swimming vs. LSU and Loyola · Navy Swimming vs. UMBC and William & Mary · Navy Water Polo Weekend Recap
