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St. John’s Triumphs against U.S. Naval Academy for the Annapolis Cup
FOR RELEASE: May 3, 2011
CONTACT: Patricia Dempsey, 410-626-2539
Patricia.dempsey@sjca.edu
The annual St. John's-U.S. Naval Academy Croquet Match is a cherished rite of spring in Annapolis. Several thousand spectators arrived at St. John’s College with picnics and parasols on Saturday, April 30 for the Annapolis Cup competition, held on the college’s front lawn. Spectators, including St. John’s alumni, sported wide-brimmed hats, nostalgic dresses, suspenders and bow ties—as they cheered from the sidelines, celebrated spring—and croquet—with festive champagne picnics and swing dancing. The Johnnies, wearing uniforms inspired by the U.S. Naval Academy, won the match after close, competitive play. The final score: 3 to 2.
St. John’s College President Christopher B. Nelson, U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller, and U.S. Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen Captain Robert E. Clark II were among those who welcomed the spectators and the teams.
Moments before the match the Johnnies revealed their surprise uniforms. “I’ve been planning these uniforms since Croquet 2010,” says Imperial Wicket Blake Myers, a St. John’s senior from Santa Fe, NM. In croquet parlance the Imperial Wicket is a team captain; at St John’s the Imperial Wicket chooses the team’s uniform each year—a closely guarded secret that Myers kept to himself for 12 months. Minutes before the team emerged Myers and fellow players shaved their heads—a nod to regulation haircuts—and donned croquet whites and sweaters with a gold “N”. The only clues as to which players were Johnnies: an insignia with a Mark Twain quote and their scuffed sneakers.
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