U.S. Naval Academy Plebes Cap First Year With Herndon Climb

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Plebes run in for the start of the Herndon Monument Climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Fourth Class Midshipmen celebrate after Nick McCowan, of Sioux City, Iowa, placed the upperclassman's hat on top of the Herndon Monument, at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual Herndon Monument climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Fourth Class Midshipman Nick McCowan (C), of Sioux City, Iowa, celebrates alongside Superintendent of the Naval Academy Vice Admiral Sean Buck (R), after placing the upperclassman's hat on top of the Herndon Monument, during the annual event at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. McCowan was the plebe who replaced the hats. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Plebes struggle to lift each other up during the Herndon Monument Climb, at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Plebes struggle to lift each other up during the annual Herndon Monument Climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Plebes work together during the Herndon Monument Climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Naval Academy Holds Annual Herndon Monument ClimbANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - MAY 23: Plebes attempt to scale the Herndon Monument during the annual climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)