Naval Plebes Climb Herndon Monument

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Hundreds of plebes face one last challenge during their freshman year. The Herndon Climb is an annual rite of passage at the US Naval Academy.

Amy Yensi has more on how they did.

This group meant business. They tried many ways to get to the top and worked as a team the entire time.

The energy is electrifying and the mission seems simple. Climbing the Herndon monument is the final challenge for freshmen at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.

"I am pumped. This year is coming to an end. We've all worked so hard for this," said Hannah Downey.

It's a ceremonial passage into a higher rank of Midshipmen 4th Class. The towering monument is greased with oil and doused with water; plebes form a human staircase to climb it.

"There's a base with the bigger guys, and we're gonna try to get the smallest guys on top," said one.

The goal: knock down the freshman hat and replace it with the midshipman's hat.

The plebes say making it to the top takes a solid foundation---meaning physical strength but, more importantly, teamwork.

"It's gonna be about the team and less about the individuals," said Luka Bakaic.

Friends and family cheered and jeered from the audience with every step and slip. After several changes in strategy, the mission was complete. Clocking in at one hour and 12 minutes, Chris Bianchi staked a claim on the monument.

"I didn't do anything; I just tossed the thing up there," he said.

And with that, the class of 2019 can finally say they are plebes no more.

The shortest time was in 1975; those plebes did it in 20 minutes. In 1998, it took the class four hours and five minutes.