Jan. 27, 2009

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - After impressive showings in their respective events over the weekend, Navy men's track senior Chris Bordino (Gastonia, N.C.) and freshman Dominic Della Pelle (Kennett Square, Pa.) have garnered the Patriot League's Field and Rookie Performer of the Week honors, respectively, the conference office announced Tuesday afternoon.

Della Pelle has qualified for the IC4A meet in both the 3,000m and mile-run as a freshman

It is the second consecutive week in which Bordino, the reigning Patriot League champion in the weight throw, has collected athlete of the week accolades, while Della Pelle, a standout rookie distance runner, earns the first honor of his career. This winter, four different Mids (Bordino, Della Pelle, Andrew Grant and Mark Van Orden) have combined to claim a total of five weekly awards. In addition, a Navy athlete has now received one of the three weekly men's track honors in three consecutive weeks and four of five to begin the season.

At Saturday's inaugural Wesley A. Brown Invitational, Bordino continued his torrid 2008-09 campaign producing his third effort over 60' in the weight throw. In a stacked field featuring the country's 10th-ranked thrower, Bordino produced the second-longest toss of his career at 60'2" (18.34m) to finish third overall. With the throw, Bordino now owns each of the Patriot League's top three efforts this season.

The North Carolina native along with junior teammate Mark Van Orden have met the IC4A qualifying standard in the weight throw in each of the team's four meets this season. Only one other league weight thrower, Army's Trent Kraychir, has earned entry to March's IC4A championship.

Della Pelle continued a strong rookie campaign, taking third with a season-best and IC4A-qualifying mile time of 4:14.78. His 4:14.78 clocking is the fastest mile in the Patriot League this season. The freshman distance standout has now qualified for the IC4A Championship in a pair of events (mile and 3,000m).

After three straight weekend competitions, the Mids will receive some valuable rest this week before returning to action on Saturday, February 7 in West Point for the annual Star Meet competition against Army. A year ago, Navy recorded its 20th N-Star sweep in its program history, topping Army during the indoor campaign for a seventh-straight season with a 95-86 win in Annapolis, and then taking 14-of-19 events in a convincing 118-85 victory during the outdoor season in West Point.

Patriot League Men's Track Weekly Award Winners (1.27.09)
Track Athlete: Domonick Sylve, Army - Met IC4A mark in 55m hurdles to win event at Great Dane Invitational
Field Athlete: Chris Bordino, Navy - Produced third weight throw toss over 60'; owns each of league's top-three throws
Rookie: Dominic Della Pelle, Navy - Posted IC4A-qualifying and Patriot League-best mile time of 4:14.78

2008-09 Navy Athlete of the Week Honorees
Mark Van Orden - Field Performer (Dec. 9)
Andrew Grant - Track Performer (Jan. 13)
Chris Bordino - Field Performer (Jan. 21, Jan. 27)
Dominic Della Pelle - Rookie Performer (Jan. 27)

### GO NAVY! ###