News

Navy’s Christian Policelli Wins 2022 Senior CLASS Award® for Baseball

June 15, 2022

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (June 15, 2022) - Navy catcher Christian Policelli has been selected as the 2022 Senior CLASS Award® winner in NCAA® Division I baseball.

The award, chosen by a vote of Division I baseball coaches, national baseball media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior or graduate-level student-athlete in Division I baseball. Policelli becomes the fourth student-athlete from Navy to win the Senior CLASS Award. He is the first in school history to win the award in the baseball category and just the second Patriot League student-athlete to do so.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character, and competition.

“It is truly an honor to be the recipient of this award,” said Policelli. “I’ve learned a lot from the Naval Academy during my time there. Not only about sports, but how to strive to be a leader both on and off the field. The many lessons I’ve learned during my time as a Midshipman will continue to help myself grow each day as I prepare for my career in the Naval Service in the next chapter of my life. Without the help and guidance of my coaches, teammates, teachers, officer-mentors, friends and family, I wouldn’t be where I am today and I’m grateful for everyone who has joined me during this journey. The Naval Academy will always be home to me and the support I’ve received from there will always be something I am thankful for. I’m looking forward to working with the Navy Baseball team again and helping with their summer camps before departing for flight school later this fall in Pensacola, Florida.”

Policelli hails from Walkersville, Maryland — just over an hour drive to Navy’s campus in Annapolis. His familiarity with the area allowed him to make an immediate impact during his first season with the Midshipmen, helping lead the team to a record of 39-17. Policelli started 23 games and featured in 11 more, hitting .299 on the season. He contributed 20 runs and 19 RBI to go along with a .483 slugging percentage and .446 on-base percentage. Policelli also launched three home runs, with his first coming as a grand slam against Villanova on March 13, 2019. Behind the plate, Policelli recorded 161 putouts and 13 assists to help earn a .983 fielding percentage.

Policelli’s second season with Navy was truncated by the pandemic. He made the most of his abbreviated time on the field, however, hitting .222 and adding 12 runs and a team-leading 15 RBI in 15 games. Policelli continued to excel defensively, tallying 99 putouts and nine assists for a near-perfect .991 fielding percentage.

In a return to a normal season, Policelli started 28 games for the Midshipmen between catcher and outfield during his third year on campus. He had a terrific run at the plate, hitting a team-high .340 with 22 runs, 22 RBI, a .468 slugging percentage, and a .445 on-base percentage. Policelli reached base safely in all 28 games and recorded a hit in 20. He collected 113 putouts and eight assists in his time spent behind the plate and in the outfield, holding a .976 fielding percentage on the season. Policelli was awarded a spot on the Patriot League first team for his play as a crucial member of the team.

Policelli’s fourth year with the Midshipmen was his most impressive, fittingly saving his best for last. Policelli was named a team captain for Navy and exhibited his leadership in numerous ways while starting every game, one of just three to accomplish the latter feat. He hit .328 on the season in addition to his 28 runs, 33 RBI, .466 slugging percentage, and .405 on-base percentage. Policelli led his team in hits (57) and steals (11), while also finishing inside the Patriot League’s top 10 in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging (.871), hits, runs batted in, and stolen bases. He continued to display his defensive talent, too, registering 156 putouts and nine assists for .971 fielding percentage. Policelli reached base safely in the Midshipmen’s final 17 games and was named to the Patriot League first team for a second consecutive season.

Policelli had an extremely decorated career spanning four years at Navy and was one of the team’s linchpins during his tenure. He featured in 120 games, starting 111, and had a career batting average of .311. Policelli also contributed 82 runs and 89 RBI, adding to his strong slugging (.462) and on-base percentage (.410) marks. He was just as vital on the defensive side for the Midshipmen, recording 529 putouts and 39 assists — good for a .979 fielding percentage

“Being recognized nationally as the Senior CLASS Award winner is truly special,” said Paul Kostacopoulos, head coach of the Midshipmen. “Christian is someone who has profoundly impacted our baseball program in so many meaningful ways, but as importantly he has been a true example of what a Naval Academy Midshipman athlete is; caring, determined, and selfless. I have no doubt Christian will bring these qualities to the fleet as a future officer in the United States Navy. All of us here at the academy are extremely proud of Christian and are better off as individuals for knowing him and being a part of the Naval Academy these past four years.”

Policelli’s legacy in Annapolis is not derived only from what he accomplished on the diamond, but what he accomplished off of it as well. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in quantitative economics and was honored with a Commandant’s List selection three times in four years. Policelli also leaves the community better than he found it, often participating in camps and hitting clinics with local residents. Likewise, Policelli would frequently volunteer during his summer, spending time on the USS Somerset (LDP-25) in 2019 and serving as a plebe summer squad leader, as well as his company’s executive officer, in 2020.

“Christian Policelli has displayed all of the qualities that a model student-athlete exhibits during each of his four years on campus,” said Erik Miner, Executive Director of the Senior CLASS Award. “He has certainly made his mark in Annapolis and will leave it a better place. We are extremely proud to congratulate Christian and Navy on winning this award.”

For more information on the Senior CLASS Award All-Americans, visit SeniorCLASSAward.com.

Baseball 2022 Winner

First Team

Second Team