Nov. 30, 2005
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Navy wrestling team has entered the NWCA / Intermat top 25, appearing in this week's poll at No. 21. The Mids weren't ranked in the preseason poll, but used three wins over three strong California teams three weeks ago to jump into the rankings. Navy made a similar jump in last year's polls, going from unranked in the preseason to No. 21 after defeating three California schools. Navy is one of five EIWA teams in the rankings, joining Lehigh (10), Cornell (11), Army (23) and Penn (25).
In addition to the team rankings, two Mids continue to remain strong in the individual rankings.
Senior heavyweight Tanner Garrett (Tulsa, Okla.) is ranked No. 9 in the latest rankings, the same spot he occupied on the preseason chart. Garrett is 12-0 on the season and has won 51 of his last 52 matches against collegiate competition during the regular season. He hasn't allowed an opponent to score more than five points in his last 49 matches and has claimed 24 straight dual-meet victories. He has already moved into 17th place on the school's career victory list and with four more wins will move into the top 15. Six of his last seven victories have come either by major decision or fall.
Junior 149-pounder John Cox (Grand Haven, Mich.) has moved up five spots to No. 14 in the top 20 poll. He entered the season ranked No. 19 in the preseason poll, but has jumped out to a 12-2 record with his lone losses coming to 11th-ranked Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro and 13th-ranked Darren McKnight of Michigan State. He has won six matches in a row, including a 6-4 triumph over 12th-ranked Anthony Baza of Cal State-Bakersfield. He has posted a career 61-19 record, including a 39-7 mark in the months of November and December.
The Mids return to the mat this weekend with their EIWA dual-meet opener at Rutgers on Saturday, starting at 1:00 p.m. On Sunday, Navy will head to University Park, Pa., for the Penn State Open, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Navy will return home for a showdown with 13th-ranked Penn State on Friday, Dec. 9, in Halsey Field House. Action against the Nittany Lions will begin at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, call 1-800-US4-NAVY.
# GO NAVY #
