A USNA Midshipman 3/C Brody Boggs prepares to land during the USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships, held at Skydive Elsinore from December 28, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The Naval Academy's team showcased their expertise in canopy accuracy, formation skydiving, and speed disciplines during the event. Courtesy Photo
Annapolis, MD - In a display of precision and teamwork, the US Naval Academy Parachute Team thrived at the USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships, held at Skydive Elsinore from December 28, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The Naval Academy's team showcased their expertise in canopy accuracy, formation skydiving, and speed disciplines, leaving an indelible mark on this premier skydiving competition.
Throughout the six-day event, the Naval Academy Parachute Team demonstrated exceptional skill across various categories including accuracy and 2-way, 4-way and 6-way formation skydiving. The team's commitment to excellence and the rigorous training the Midshipmen go through was evident in every aspect of their performance.
1/C Midshipmen from the USNA Parachute Team execute a 6-way formation skydive at USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships, held at Skydive Elsinore from December 28, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The Naval Academy's team showcased their expertise in canopy accuracy, formation skydiving, and speed disciplines during the event. Courtesy Photo
The team placed gold and silver in 2-way advanced formation, silver team sport accuracy, novice sport accuracy and intermediate sport accuracy, and bronze in masters sport accuracy and 4-way advanced formation.
“Each year our team takes our training for Nationals to a new level, and our dedication this year paid off in dividends,” said MIDN 1/C Jackee Gwynn.
“At my first competition two years ago, I was ecstatic just to turn three points in a 2-way formation jump, and to have one stand-up landing out of the four jumps in the accuracy competition. This time around, we spent hours in the wind tunnel and countless jumps at altitude to improve and prepare. So when we got to Nationals, we brought a team West Point has never seen before.”
William Boniface
MIDN 1/C Nick Froude and MIDN 1/C Nate Basford celebrate a successful jump during USPA National Collegiate Skydiving Championships, held at Skydive Elsinore from December 28, 2023, to January 2, 2024. The Naval Academy's team showcased their expertise in canopy accuracy, formation skydiving, and speed disciplines during the event. USAF photo by Capt. Geneva Giaimo
The USNA 2-way teams consistently put up double digits, and MIDN 1/C Nate Basford beat every West Point cadet in the Master’s Accuracy competition.
“West Point was definitely shocked, but winning medals and beating Army was no surprise to us. We put in the work, and we got the results” added Gwynn.
The success of the Naval Academy Parachute Team serves as a testament to the caliber of training provided by the Naval Academy, producing not only exceptional leaders but also accomplished athletes. As members of the Naval Academy Parachute Team, Midshipmen have the opportunity to employ the midshipman ethos of developing their character, treating others with dignity and respect, and holding themselves and others accountable in a non-academic setting.
