Herndon Climb time: 2:35:59

A wiry volleyball player from Pennsylvania had the honor this morning of scaling the Herndon Monument, signaling the end of the freshman or "plebe" year for the Naval Academy Class of 2011.

When he ascended to the top, Midshipman Reichel removed the dixie cup that belonged to his friend and fellow volleyball player Kristen Dickmann, a plebe who died unexpectedly last week.

After removing the dixie cup, Midshipman Reichel fell back into the pyramid, but was hoisted again by his classmates to put Midshipman Dickmann's cover on the top of the 21-foot obelisk.

"I had the easy job," said Midshipman Reichel, who is 6-feet 6-inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. "My classmates were the ones who held me up. It was great to get it done."

His parents, Jon and Lindi Reichel of Hummelstown, Pa., watched with pride, though Mrs. Reichel missed the crucial moment when she went to buy an umbrella as the climb went on.

This year's time of 2 hours, 35 minutes and 59 seconds was more than an hour longer than last year's time of 1 hour, 32 minutes, 42 seconds.

The Herndon Climb took on something of a more restrained tone this year, as the plebes remembered their late classmate. Midshipman Dickmann's funeral was yesterday.

Midshipman Reichel said he was close to Midshipman Dickmann, as they both played volleyball and hailed from Pennsylvania.

Midshipman 4th Class Jay Barfield of Seattle had a class with Midshipman Dickmann.

"It was a real downer for us, our whole class. No one knows what happened, why she died. But it also motivated us, too," he said.

Classmates thought using Midshipman Dickmann's dixie cup and cover was a fitting tribute to their friend.

"I know she is looking down on us right now," said Midshipman 4th Class Neil Tublin of Stamford, Conn. "She just had a huge smile on her face all the time. If she was having a bad day, you could never tell. She was a real, genuine person."

"It was the first time we've ever done this. We voted on it as a class," said Midshipman 4th Class Travis Nicks of Tulsa, Okla.

The first plebes to charge the monument this morning were members of 20th Company, who were designated the "Iron Company" after finishing first in Tuesday's Sea Trials, a 14-hour physical and mental endurance test.

This was the first year in recent memory that the academy recognized a company for finishing first during Sea Trials.

This year's Herndon Climb was slightly different from past years, because upperclassmen did not soak the plebes - and the ground around the monument - with a garden hose while they attempted to make the climb.

Although the monument was greased in 100 pounds of lard courtesy of 1st Company, there were no mocking messages written into the lard, as in pastAlthough the monument was greased in 100 pounds of lard courtesy of 1st Company, there were no mocking messages written into the lard, as in past years.

Also this year, in response to a safety review of the exercise, about 30 mids were designated as safety officers.

But these changes did not detract from the excitement of the climb.

A few seniors were present at the climb, including Midshipman First Class Sean Patso of Atlanta, who was brigade executive officer for Sea Trials and the Herndon Climb. He recalled the difficulty of the climb back when he was a plebe.

"We climbed up to the top and then fell. And when you fall, you become the base. It really gets hot in there," he said.

As usual, the plebes made a good showing early in the morning. About 20 minutes into the climb, a female plebe looked as if she might make it to the top, but the pyramid of midshipmen collapsed beneath her.

The spectacle was repeated time and time again, with the person on top tumbling backwards until his comrades caught him before he hit the ground.

Legend has it that the plebe who scales Herndon will be the first in the class to become admiral, but this prediction has never proved true.

Midshipman Reichel was rewarded for his effort, when Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler gave him a one-star collar device worn by a rear admiral.

This was a slight change from past years, when the superintendent awarded an admiral's shoulder board to the plebe who scales the monument. The reason for the change is that the shoulder boards worn by men and women are slightly different, while the stars on the collar are gender neutral, said academy spokesman Deborah Goode. As exciting and joyful as the Herndon Climb is, there were some injuries this morning.

According to the Naval Academy Fire Department, a 47-year-old woman was taking her seat to watch the climb when she lost her footing or slipped and fell about 7 feet. She was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.

Also, a female plebe was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center as a precaution after she complained of neck pain, said Cmdr. Ed Austin, an academy spokesman.

Other plebes reported minor cuts and scrapes.

"Every year, there are a few bumps and bruises," Cmdr. Austin said.

The Herndon Climb is an emotional end to the first year at the academy, and friends and family crowded around the monument to cheer on their plebes. Terry and Lecia Horne came from Charlotte, N.C., to cheer on their son, Midshipman 4th Class John Horne.

Mrs. Horne said her son wanted to attend the academy since eighth grade. His ambition was cemented when he came for a tour and fell in love with the academy.

"He's doing very well. He's very excited, but he's glad to have plebe year back of him," Mrs. Horne said.

Midshipman Horne is a political science major. After returning home for his sister's high school graduation, he'll spend his summer on a cruise on a yard patrol boat and later a tour in the fleet, perhaps aboard an aircraft carrier.

Mr. Horne said that while many people talk about the physical demands of the academy, the academics also are demanding.

"The academics are challenging, too," Mr. Horne said.