ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- After finishing the regular season with an undefeated record last year, head coach Bill Kelley was hoping for a similar performance at the NCAA Tournament.

The Mids had knocked off all the top competition, including victories over Alaska-Fairbanks and Army, en route to the NCAA Tournament, and was considered one of the favorites to claim the school's first national title in any sport since the 1964 season.

However, Navy finished fifth at the NCAA Tournament, a disappointing finish to one of the most successful seasons in school history.

Now, as Kelley enters his seventh year at Navy, he must replace three All-Americans with a young, but talented, lineup.

"I'm trying not to have expectations for the upcoming year," said Kelley. "In my six previous years, my expectations have never become realizations. You never know exactly how it is going to work out. We are going to give the team a blank slate, let it develop its own identity and be whatever they can be this year."

What has resulted in the preseason leads Kelley to believe, however, that this team will compete with the best teams in the country.

"This preseason we have gone under the most intense training regimen we have gone through in my seven years here. We have to get over the hump," said Kelley. "The kids' first reaction was 'Wow. This is kind of intimidating.' But now, four weeks later, they are seeing the progress we are making and we are right on track with where we want to be."

And while this year's team may not have the superstars of years past, as a whole, this team is very deep.

"We don't have that one superstar, but we have a lot of shooters that will be able to step up and get the job done," said Kelley. "Last year, we had Matt Albright, who we sometimes expected to bail us out. We don't have that this year. Everyone has the potential to lead this team. It is a nice problem to have."

Kelley stresses that the depth in air rifle is unlike anything he has had at Navy. In preseason practices, there are three or four shooters that have posted scores similar to last year's All-America tallies. The smallbore portion, which takes more skill, is coming around, but is still not to the level that Kelley would like to see.

Leading the way for Navy will be a pair of juniors in Sarah Bergman and Chris Schneider and sophomore Josh Albright. Bergman, a 2004 All-American, posted six scores of at least 585 in air rifle, and has improved tremendously on her smallbore abilities. Bergman recorded a pair of 593's against MIT and Alaska-Fairbanks last year and will be looked upon for much of the same in 2005-06.

"We don't have that one superstar, but we have a lot of shooters that will be able to step up and get the job done. Everyone has the potential to lead this team. It is a nice problem to have." Bill Kelley - Navy rifle coach

Albright, Matt's younger brother, started slow, but had an outstanding freshman season and may be next in line to carry the torch for Navy rifle. He averaged an 1150 in seven events, including an 1171 against Alaska-Fairbanks. He participated in the NCAA Tournament in smallbore, compiling a 581. Albright has had an outstanding summer, taking home honors in several junior competitions.

"The ones that have been to the NCAA Tournament have really come to work hard this fall," said Kelley. "It is a very encouraging sign for us that we want to work hard and get to the next level.

"Schneider is training like a madman," added Kelley. "He is a guy that really wants to win this year and improve on last year's finish."

However, after the top three, the lineup is up for grabs. The other seven on the roster all have talent and will push for starting time.

"We have a lot of young, talented shooters that have improved a lot since the start of last year," said Kelley. "Lisa Kunzelman, a freshman, has had a great preseason, and sophomore Christina Schade has turned into one of our top shooters in air rifle.

"Everyone has just worked so hard, that all the positions are really up for grabs," said Kelley. "We have one senior on the team, so there will be lots of new faces in the lineup."

The Mids once again face a challenging schedule in 2005-06. Navy again faces traditional powers West Virginia, Akron and Alaska-Fairbanks, as well as the Star Match against Army in Bancroft Hall on Feb. 18. Alaska-Fairbanks' run of six straight national championships was ended last year by Army. Both teams will be loaded again in 2005-06.

But Kelley isn't worried about other teams, he is just interested in what this year's Navy team does.

"In the past, some shooters have been able to coast because of Matt Albright in the lineup," said Kelley. "I haven't sensed that this year. They have taken on an 'It's up to me,' attitude. I think we will be very competitive this season."

# GO NAVY #