Plebes Dropping Already

justdoit19 said:
It'll kill him, and is his biggest concern to be 'healthy', and on the bench, not a team player. And getting that reputation. I'm sure it will work out...but I get what he was articulating. Not within his control.
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Certainly not an issue in these crazy times... I'm sure everyone knows DS would rather be out there mixing it up with his Classmates that sitting in his room. No one will hold COVID against him ! (That said, just the other day, one of my Company mates was poking fun at another of my company mates who had to take it easy during Plebe summer because he reported with Mono).

There will always be Plebes who are really hurt, as well as sick bay commandos. The Detailers will lay off both, but Classmates know who is slacking or bagging it, and peer pressure comes into play quickly.
 
Kierkegaard said:
Worth admitting that the Public Affairs Office only takes photos of Plebes with smiles on their faces. That said, many plebes are indeed quite good at seeing the glass as half full—it’s a helpful attitude to have at the Naval Academy, especially as a Plebe.
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Oh I saw plenty with "what was I thinking" faces on the E Course! But those photos didn't come from the PAO! :p
 
ders_dad said:
My DS's first round roommate during Plebe Summer last year was from NAPS and a recruited athlete - in great shape and maxed out his PFA. But he got horrible shin splints almost from the get go. So, it can happen to anyone - running on hard surfaces and possibly unfamiliar shoes can hurt even the most prepared. My DS said he was almost in tears because of the shin splints but he wouldn't complain or quit until the detailers made him see the medical and he got put on a chit. I think how you deal with nagging injuries will say a whole lot to your fellow plebes.
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They are also dealing with 2-4 weeks of NOT running from their ROMS/ISO's. So there is that, too. It only takes 2 weeks to lose conditioning, that you did come in with. They specifically do not want them exercising so that any COVID symptoms can present themselves.

It'll all play out. And plebe summer is more than half over? Not even sure at this point what the official end date is with parents weekend off the table. They actually have a little time to play with if needed. Although detailers need to be officially released. I'm watching all this from the cheap seats. Its all fascinating, TBH.

I do think USNA is doing a fantastically commendable job. Other colleges/universities will be jealous.
 
DD the Detailer did say many plebes seem out of shape. She believes they showed up in shape, but two weeks of ROM — mainly indoors and sedentary — took its toll. She believes there are more injuries and illnesses than what she remembers of her PS. Wonder how prevalent this is across companies (one detailer’s perspective, after all).
 
The positive is that the ones I saw on crutches and the tall plebe with his right arm in a sling were all smiling, and they seemed to be engaged in whatever capacity they could participate in. I saw a lot of pictures of the o course and before it even began I could see a lot of potential injuries. I can picture a plebe attempting with a little bit too much gusto and taking a spill. Haven't seen much of our kids company yet for the swim or o or ropes course, but I have seen him several times in pep, march and run. Seems to be alive which is good, looking forward to the stories once we get to sit down and chat (while listening to here comes Santa Claus).
 
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Ok .... where we are, north of Leesburg and just south of the Potomac Point of Rocks bridge ..... it is “So humid you can cut it with a Knife”. I have never felt it this bad.

I suppose the heavy rains over the past 2 afternoon/evenings, coupled with the Searing temperatures in days past, the ground is so hot and wet that it is steaming.

The weather down on the Yard can’t be any cozier.

How is the weather treating you in your back Yard?
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Dr. Strange Love said:
“So humid you can cut it with a Knife”.
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It was about this time two years ago, during her own Plebe Summer, that DD discovered the outrageous goodness of donuts from the Amish Market a few miles from the Yard. As a high-school tennis player — but definitely not college level — she’d somehow found herself spending her daily sports hour with the varsity tennis team. And on one very steamy day, some varsity players lifted everyone’s spirits by bringing a couple dozen donuts from the Amish Market. DD said she had no idea that donuts could be so delicious.

Why in the world do I bring this up? To say that, when it comes time for plebe parents to come visit the Yard (and PPW cancellation notwithstanding, that time will come), they should recognize their plebe’s survival of the horrid Maryland climate by treating them to some Amish donuts! And while you’re there, you might as well get them a pretzel dog and some ice cream too. Trust me — they’ll have earned it.
 
Amish Market has many natural cures. I often take our plebes there after picking them up, tell them they have 40 minutes to run around, pointing them to the pretzels being made, the stuffed pretzels, and all the other treats. I hand them a twenty and tell them to pick out some killer desserts (you can’t go wrong with the pies, cakes, cheesecakes) for that night, if I haven’t baked. Meanwhile, I pick up sticky buns still-warm, yeasty burger buns and Sunday morning treats. Instant morale-lifters are sold there.
 
MidCakePa said:
It was about this time two years ago, during her own Plebe Summer, that DD discovered the outrageous goodness of donuts from the Amish Market a few miles from the Yard. As a high-school tennis player — but definitely not college level — she’d somehow found herself spending her daily sports hour with the varsity tennis team. And on one very steamy day, some varsity players lifted everyone’s spirits by bringing a couple dozen donuts from the Amish Market. DD said she had no idea that donuts could be so delicious.

Why in the world do I bring this up? To say that, when it comes time for plebe parents to come visit the Yard (and PPW cancellation notwithstanding, that time will come), they should recognize their plebe’s survival of the horrid Maryland climate by treating them to some Amish donuts! And while you’re there, you might as well get them a pretzel dog and some ice cream too. Trust me — they’ll have earned it.
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Don't forget about their bacon! 🥓Obviously, I was never a midshipman, but I'm just a little ways north of Annapolis and that market has become a staple for us. We get a house with about 2 dozen friends at least once a year for four days or so...and 10 pounds of that stuff was a HUGE hit last year! I never say no to one of their Whoopie Pies either!
 
MidCakePa said:
It was about this time two years ago, during her own Plebe Summer, that DD discovered the outrageous goodness of donuts from the Amish Market a few miles from the Yard. As a high-school tennis player — but definitely not college level — she’d somehow found herself spending her daily sports hour with the varsity tennis team. And on one very steamy day, some varsity players lifted everyone’s spirits by bringing a couple dozen donuts from the Amish Market. DD said she had no idea that donuts could be so delicious.
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Just curious, since you mentioned your DD is a high-school tennis player — but definitely not college level, yet she spent time with the varsity tennis team. Is she on the varsity team or USNA allows for practice with varisity team if you are a serious player? How does this work?
My DS is a plebe this year, and he also likes tennis. He was a good high school tennis player, but not good enough to get recuited to play varsity. I am pretty sure he would be happy if there is a chance that he can play a little bit serious tennis in USNA.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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Ok .... where we are, north of Leesburg and just south of the Potomac Point of Rocks bridge ..... it is “So humid you can cut it with a Knife”. I have never felt it this bad.

I suppose the heavy rains over the past 2 afternoon/evenings, coupled with the Searing temperatures in days past, the ground is so hot and wet that it is steaming.

The weather down on the Yard can’t be any cozier.

How is the weather treating you in your back Yard?
.
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Monsoons just started and it is gorgeous out. 78 at 4800 feet 20 miles from Mexico. Lightening all around and rain will find us again before dawn
 
wayne323 said:
Is she on the varsity team or USNA allows for practice with varisity team if you are a serious player?
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You give DD too much credit. (Though she was team captain and a two-time state qualifier, she competed in the small-school division.) She actually stumbled onto that opportunity to hang out with the varsity — nothing more than that

Simple as this: One of her company mates was a varsity player. The team was holding informal practices that coincided with sports hour. Company mate, knowing DD played tennis, asked if she wanted to tag along. It was only during Plebe Summer. Once ac year started, DD joined the club team for her primary sport. Now she only picks up a tennis racket when she’s on leave.

When tennis is in season, I’m guessing there isn’t opportunity for a non-team member to join in. But perhaps in the off-season. Not sure if tennis has a club team or is an intramural sport. But your DS can figure it out soon enough.
 
Thank you very much for the detailed info. I will definitely encourage my DS to try out for the men's club team once the plebe summer is over...
 
wayne323 said:
Thank you very much for the detailed info. I will definitely encourage my DS to try out for the men's club team once the plebe summer is over...
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Hi wayne323. I am a bit of a lurker here - don't post much. But my DD is a 2C (and current 1st set detailer). I have some info about club tennis for you. It's a co-ed club sport. Club tennis only started in Fall 2018 - by a Firstie who had played varsity tennis for two years, but had left the team her 2C year. My DD was one of the founding members - she was a competitive player in USTA junior tennis (3-4*), but did not want to play tennis at the D1 level. The club team is pretty good - their first year as a team they qualified and went to April 2019 USTA National Championship in Arizona. She's definitely enjoyed the practicing and traveling to weekend tournaments - hope your son looks into it this Fall.
 
Hopefully, the Amish Market delivers to gate one. No visits anytime soon!

Speaking of sports, how will sports period work this summer? Are Varsity teams able to meet/practice? Is that an NCAA thing, with conferences canceled? Are teams even on the yard presently?
 
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