# @usnavalacademy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXPm9KkEe5B
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64245536-usnavalacademy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5adf827559.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-17T19:05:46.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** United States Naval Academy (@usnavalacademy) — https://gondola.cc/usnavalacademy

## Caption

This week’s #FirstieFriday highlights the 2026 croquet captains, MIDN 1/C Emma Magness and MIDN 1/C Hayden McCullough. The Naval Academy vs. St. John’s match is an Annapolis tradition dating back to 1983, marking 42 years of friendly competition that unites the schools and the city.

MIDN 1/C Emma Magness
A Nuclear Engineering major from Lebanon, Ohio, Emma serves as the 28th Company Commander. Her leadership style is rooted in care for her midshipmen, focusing her final semester on setting her company up for long-term success. Whether playing Women’s Rugby or strategizing for the croquet team, Emma thrives on the connections built at the Academy. Her USNA experience has been defined by unique opportunities, including studying abroad in Egypt and interning at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Her favorite memory remains Service Assignment Day, watching her classmates achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, Emma will commission as a Marine Corps ground officer.

MIDN 1/C Hayden McCullough
A Foreign Area Studies major from Tyler, Texas, Hayden serves as the SCUBA Team Executive Officer. As a divemaster, he has certified hundreds of midshipmen, balancing technical expertise with mentorship. On the croquet pitch, he has embraced revitalizing the 28th Company tradition to face the “Johnnies” in one of the Academy’s most storied rivalries. Driven by a sense of global impact, Hayden spends his time teaching guitar, training in the MARSOC/Recon environment, and pushing his physical limits. He cites his older brother as his primary inspiration for loyalty and courage. Following graduation, Hayden will commission as a Marine Corps ground officer with the goal of becoming an infantry officer.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 2,513
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- **Comments:** 13

## Tags

firstiefriday

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