Jan. 9, 2009

HAMPTON, Va. - The Navy wrestling team split its two matches Friday on the opening day of the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Va., claiming a 20-15 victory over seventh-seeded Virginia before dropping a 37-3 decision to 13th-ranked and second-seeded Oklahoma State. The Midshipmen (3-2) will battle EIWA foe Bucknell (6-5) Saturday at 10:00 am.

The Mids were led by 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier Bryce Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nev.) who was the lone Navy wrestler to string together back-to-back wins. Saddoris, who is ranked No. 5 nationally at 149 pounds, pitched a 16-0 technical fall over Virginia's Peter Ferrara to give Navy an 11-6 advantage, a lead the Mids would not relinquish en route to their upset victory. Meanwhile, Saddoris recorded the Mids' only win against Oklahoma State, a 3-1 victory over redshirt frosh Luke Silver.

With the two wins on Friday, Saddoris now stands at 27-2 this season, just three wins shy of joining Navy's elite 30-win club for a second consecutive year.

In its win over the Cavaliers, Navy won five of the 10 matches, earning extra-point victories at 125 and 149 pounds. The Mids opened up with a 6-0 advantage after Virginia's two 125-pounders were unable compete due to injury.

Virginia, though knotted the match after putting together back-to-back decisions, including a heartbreaking loss by the Mids' John Majka (Chicago, Ill.) in a one-point decision at 141 pounds against All-ACC sophomore Nick Nelson.

Saddoris gave Navy the lead for good thanks to a tech fall at 149 pounds. Also picking up wins for the Midshipmen were sophomore Matt DeMichiel (Whitesboro, N.Y.) at 165 pounds, senior Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.) at heavyweight and senior Casey Caldwell (Liberty, Ind.) who earned a decisive victory over ninth-ranked Rocco Caponi. Caldwell recorded a pair of takedowns en route to capturing a 6-2 decision over Caponi and recording his first collegiate victory over a nationally-ranked foe.

Navy advanced to the quarterfinals where it would face No. 13 Oklahoma State, who was fresh off a 44-0 throttling of Clarion. Five of the 10 wrestlers the Mids battled were ranked, including No. 1-ranked heavyweight Jared Rosholt who pinned Moyer in 1:30. Though Navy rookie Prescott Garner (West Linn, Ore.) would not find a win by the end of the match, he put forth the strongest effort against the more experienced Cowboys. Garner dropped a 7-4 decision to OSU senior Obe Blanc, who earned All-America honors as a junior in 2007 after placing sixth at the NCAA Championship.

Navy freshman 174-pounder Luke Rebertus (Elkton, Md.), who is ranked No. 16, was stymied on the opening day, dropping a 4-1 decision to 10th-ranked Chris Henrich of Virginia. The following match he was ridden out by OSU's Newly McSpadden. McSpadden, who was ranked No. 10 at 157 prior to moving to 174 pounds this week, put on a suffocating ride over Rebertus, earning one point for riding time and the 3-2 decision.

Bucknell lost to the nationally-ranked Golden Flashes of Kent State by a 22-10 margin, but came back to post a 22-13 win over Ohio in the consolation bracket.


Navy 20, Virginia 15
125 - Prescott Garner (Navy) wins by forfeit; Navy 6-0
133 - Matt Bonson (UVa) dec. Aaron Kalil (Navy), 6-3; Navy 6-3
141 - Nick Nelson (UVa) dec. John Majka (Navy), 5-4; Even 6-6
149 - No. 5 Bryce Saddoris (Navy) tech fall Peter Ferrara (UVa), 16-0; Navy 11-6
157 - No. 20 Jedd Moore (UVa) dec. Glenn Shober (Navy), 3-1; Navy 11-9
165 - Matt DeMichiel (Navy) dec. Beau Fisher (UVa), 6-2; Navy 14-9
174 - No. 10 Chris Henrich (UVa) dec. No. 16 Luke Rebertus (Navy), 4-1; Navy 14-12
184 - Casey Caldwell (Navy) dec. No. 9 Rocco Caponi (UVa), 6-2; Navy 17-12
197 - No. 19 Brent Jones (UVa) dec. Philip Neese (Navy), 7-3; Navy 17-15
HWT - Tyler Moyer (Navy) dec. Calvin Cardillo (UVa), 2-1; Navy 20-15

Oklahoma State 37, Navy 3
125 - No. 15 Obe Blanc (OSU) dec. Prescott Garner (Navy), 7-4
133 - Chris Notte (OSU) dec. Aaron Kalil (Navy), 8-2
141 - No. 17 Jamal Parks (OSU) dec. Matt Pagan (Navy), 4-1
149 - No. 5 Bryce Saddoris (Navy) dec. Luke Silver (OSU), 3-1
157 - Neil Erisman (OSU) dec. Joel Ahern (Navy), 8-3
165 - No. 12 Brandon Mason (OSU) win by fall Jason Coyne (Navy), 1:57
174 - No. 10 Newly McSpadden (OSU) dec. No. 16 Luke Rebertus (Navy), 3-2
184 - Chris McNeil (OSU) dec. Casey Caldwell (Navy), 5-3
197 - No. 8 Clayton Foster (OSU) major Philip Neese (Navy), 12-2
HWT - No. 1 Jared Rosholt (OSU) win by fall Tyler Moyer (Navy), 1:30
*rankings according to InterMat

### Go Navy ###