May 27, 2011

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--Six of the top 15 Naval Academy graduates and 28 of the top 100 based on overall order of merit in the Class of 2011 were student-athletes, including valedictorian Nick Birger (men's tennis). It is the seventh-consecutive year that a Midshipman associated with varsity athletics as an athlete or manager has been the class valedictorian.

Other athletes that graduated with merit include: Caroline Barlow (#3, triathlon), Chris Bertucci (#5, boxing), Steve Honan (#9, marathon), Daniel Chan (#12, men's volleyball), Brandon Beckler (#13, spring football), Eowyn Pedicini (#16, powerlifting), Lawrence Seiler (#25, powerlifting), Amanda Lau (#28, marathon), Matt Hartsog (#34, men's rugby), Ed King (#40, lightweight rowing), Blake Taylor (#44, rugby), Matt Harmon (#49, men's swimming), Martin McDonald (#50, marathon), Ralph Grossman (#57, offshore sailing), Brian Yaptinchay (#58, karate), Katherine Rentz (#60, women's cross country), Michael Orzetti (#61, hockey), Joe Kurtenbach (#62, marathon), Sarah Grant (#71, women's rugby), Bethany Rahall (#75, women's cross country & track), Marius Jasmontas (#82, men's volleyball), Kevin Foskett (#84, men's soccer), Sarah Duffy (#88, marathon), Logan Hershman (#89, boxing), Leslie Landry (#90, softball), Jacob Stevens-Haas (#91, hockey) and Vincent Catrini (#94, sprint football).