March 17, 2006

• NCAA Championships Web Site

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Navy wrestling team had strong performances in session two of the 76th NCAA Wrestling Championships on Thursday night, sending four of five wrestlers into tomorrow's action. The most significant move came from Tanner Garrett, who advanced to the quarterfinals. Joe Baker, John Cox and Matt Stolpinski all moved forward in the consolation bracket. Tomorrow's quarterfinals will be broadcast live by ESPN-U, beginning at 11:00 a.m. EST.

"I don't think we wrestled particularly well today, but we won a lot of matches, so that is very encouraging," said Navy head coach Bruce Burnett. "All five guys scored team points for us. That is a good sign about our program and where we are going. I'm pleased with the way we are competing, but just wish we could still all be in the winner's bracket."

Navy senior heavyweight Tanner Garrett (Tulsa, Okla.) kept his march towards All-America status continuing with an impressive 5-1 win over 11th-seeded Spencer Nadolsky of North Carolina. Garrett, who is seeded sixth in the tournament, scored an early first-period takedown, then added a penalty point and an escape for a 4-1 advantage early in the third period. Garrett would add a riding-time point for the final margin. The win over Nadolsky was Garrett's second this season over the UNC senior. Garrett defeated him in a dual meet on Jan. 28, with a 3-1 sudden-victory triumph. Garrett will wrestle third-seeded Greg Wagner of Michigan in tomorrow's quarterfinal round.

"Tanner looked very good tonight and really had a great performance," said Burnett. "He just keeps plugging away and is leaving it all on the mat. That is what you ask for out of your senior captain."

Junior John Cox (Grand Haven, Mich.) dropped his second-round match to second-seeded Ty Eustice of Iowa, 9-4, at 149 pounds. Cox trailed just 5-3 early in the third period, but couldn't get the equalizing takedown and dropped his first match of the NCAA Tournament. Cox will now wrestle Aaron Martin of UT-Chattanooga in the third round of the consolation bracket.

Sophomore 174-pounder Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) saw his NCAA Tournament title hopes end in the second round, losing by fall to second-seeded Jake Herbert of Northwestern. Herbert improved to 34-0 with a fall over Stolpinski in 47 seconds. The loss sends Stolpinski into the consolation bracket against Nicholas Hernandez of Cal Poly.

Meanwhile, wrestling at the same time as Garrett, freshman 133-pounder Joe Baker scored an impressive win over Indiana freshman Andrae Hernandez, 16-9. Baker tallied five first-period takedowns and never looked back to earn his first career NCAA Tournament win and advance in the consolation bracket. Baker will wrestle Northern Iowa's Christopher Hegleson in tomorrow morning's consolation round.

"Baker opened up some tonight after a tough first match," said Burnett. "He regrouped and had a very good performance tonight."

Unfortunately for the Mids, senior 197-pounder Chris Pogue (Chesapeake, Va.) saw his career come to an end in the consolation round with a 13-4 major-decision setback to Jon Oplinger of Drexel. Oplinger ran out to a big lead in the first period and never let Pogue back into the match in ending the seniors' run.

"Chris just ran into some tough luck and had a very tough draw," said Burnett. "But this loss doesn't diminish what he accomplished this year. He had an outstanding season and we are happy that he was able to reach the NCAA Tournament in his senior year."

Pogue finishes his season with a 29-12 record and ends his career at 60-39.

Action will get underway tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. EST, with both quarterfinals and consolation matches taking place at the same time.

Navy Meet Notes:
• With John Cox's loss to second-seeded Ty Eustice of Iowa, the Navy junior is now 0-2 all-time at the NCAA Tournament against seeded wrestlers. He is 2-1 against unseeded wrestlers.
• Garrett's match with North Carolina's Spencer Nadolsky featured the two winningest wrestlers in the country. Garrett entered the match with a nation's-best 42 wins, while Nadolsky was tied for second with 40 victories (Missouri 174-pounder Ben Askren also had 40 wins) entering Friday's session II.
• The win over Nadolsky gave Garrett 114 career victories, good for a tie for fourth on the Navy career win list. He tied Dan Hicks (1991-95) with the victory. The victory also pushed Garrett within one win of becoming Navy's first All-American since Frank Edwards placed seventh at 165 pounds in the 2003 tournament.
• Baker's win over Hernandez means that every Navy wrestler in the tournament won at least one match.
• Pogue ended his senior season with a 29-12 record and a 60-39 career mark. He moved up to 197 pounds midway through the season and posted a 15-5 mark at the weight. • Seesion Two Attendance was announced at 15,752, pushing Thursday's total for the first two sessions to 31,446.

Championship Bracket (Session II):149 - (2) Tyler Eustice (Iowa) dec. John Cox (Navy), 9-4174 - (2) Jake Herbert (Northwestern) pinned Matt Stolpinski (Navy), 0:47HW - (6) Tanner Garrett (Navy) dec. (11) Spencer Nadolsky (North Carolina), 5-1
Consolation Bracket (Session II):133 - Joe Baker (Navy) dec. Andrae Hernandez (Indiana), 16-9197 - Jon Oplinger (Drexel) major dec. Chris Pogue (Navy), 13-4
Individual Results:133 - Joe Baker (Season: 12-3; Career: 12-5)1st rd. -- Lost to Gabriel Flores (Illinois) by decision, 9-3Cons. - Def. Andrae Hernandez (Indiana) by decision, 16-9
149 - John Cox (Season: 32-11; Career: 81-28)1st rd. - Def. Ryan Hurley (Cleveland State) by decision, 9-42nd rd. - Lost to (2) Tyler Eustice (Iowa) by decision, 9-4
174 - Matt Stolpinski (Season: 30-10; Career: 55-27)1st rd. - Pinned Aaron Miller (Kent State), 3:452nd rd. - Lost to (2) Jake Herbert (Northwestern) by fall, 0:47
197 - Chris Pogue (Season: 29-12; Career: 60-39)Pigtail - Def. Joe Fendone (Edinboro) by decision, 10-51st rd. - Lost to (11) Ryan Goodman (NC State) by decision, 5-1Cons. - Lost to Jon Oplinger (Drexel) by major decision, 13-4
HWT - (6) Tanner Garrett (Season: 43-3; Career: 114-31)1st rd. - Def. Matthew Weight (Illinois) by decision, 6-32nd rd. - Def. (11) Spencer Nadolsky (North Carolina) by decision, 5-1

# GO NAVY #