Finding the Catch: Alexandria Vallancey’s Transition From Basketball To Navy Rowing Champion

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In today's special edition of Navy Sports Central, we kick off a series honoring 50 years of women at the Naval Academy. And we begin with the story of Alexandria Vallancey, a Corvallis High basketball star who arrived at Annapolis intent on Division I hoops and left as a force in Navy Women’s Rowing. What began as a walk-on curiosity at Hubbard Hall became a new identity, built on brutal practices, clean catches, and the unglamorous grind of the erg.

We'll trace Alexandria’s rapid rise from novice to the first varsity eight, the victories in the Cooper Sprints, dual wins over East Coast powers, and a string of Patriot League Championships that stretched Navy’s dominance. Then the stakes climb: an invitation to the Henley Royal Regatta’s historic King’s Cup, a mixed military crew that included two women, and a nation’s colors on the line. 

Feel the rhythm of head-to-head racing as Canada and France fall, and experience the drama in the final as a decisive move lifts the American boat Overlord past Germany while cheers of  “USA” help push the boat down the course. The win marks a powerful return to the international stage for Navy rowing—and it's a milestone in the larger story of women’s athletics at Annapolis.

We also look ahead: the pandemic’s interruption, a return to form with another league title, and the next horizon—qualifying for the U23 U.S. National Team and competing at the World Rowing Championships. If you care about Navy sports, women’s sports history, rowing strategy, or the mindset it takes to reinvent yourself, you don't want to miss this story. Be sure to follow the show, share it with a Navy fan, and leave a review to help more listeners find these stories. Then tell us: what bold pivot are you ready to make?

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