Feb. 13, 2009

• Complete Navy-Rutgers Results

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Though the Navy wrestling squad held a five-point advantage heading into the final match of the evening, it would not be enough as Rutgers sophomore DJ Russo pinned Navy's Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.) at 3:26 to lead the Scarlet Knights to an 18-17 victory over the Midshipmen Friday evening at Halsey Field House in Annapolis.

After a scoreless opening period, Moyer fought to keep Russo down on the mat to open the second. As both wrestlers got to their feet, Moyer looked to make a play at Russo, who promptly grabbed hold of Moyer's ankles and swept him to his back. Moyer battled and tried to stave off Russo's advantage, however, the second-year standout completed the daunting task set before him and helped the Scarlet Knights snap a seven-match losing skid against the Mids.

Navy jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the match after rookie Prescott Garner (West Linn, Ore.) put away fellow rookie Matt Fusco, 7-3, at 125 pounds, followed by a good ole fashioned rout by senior Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.). Ranked 10th nationally, Baker improved to 10-0 this winter after toying with Mike Demarco and scoring eight takedowns en route to an 18-6 major decision at 133 pounds.

Rutgers briefly stopped Navy's momentum as newcomer Trevor Melde built up 2:13 in riding time and captured a 4-3 decision over Navy junior Matt Pagan (Carteret, N.J.) at 141 pounds. Pagan squared up the match with 55 seconds to go when he twisted and turned and slipped out of Melde's grasp. And despite Pagan's best efforts in the waning moments, he was unable to get the takedown he needed.

Navy pushed its lead to eight thanks to a bonus-point effort by seventh-ranked Bryce Saddoris (Spring Creek, Nev.) at 149 pounds. Paired up against junior Kellen Bradley, Saddoris followed a similar pattern as Baker, earning a takedown and surrendering an immediate escape. By the end of the match, Saddoris had put together seven takedowns and utilized riding time to score a 16-7 major decision.

The nation's leader in wins, Saddoris has now won 36 matches this season, the 12th-best single-season wins mark in program history. It's one more win than he recorded a year ago and betters the record he set a year ago for most wins by a Navy wrestler at that weight class.

The 157-pound match was one of the most spirited of the evening. Junior Glenn Shober (Reading, Pa.) wrestled a magnificent match against Rutgers freshman Scott Winston, who came into the match ranked 11th nationally and boasted a 33-6 record. Heading into the final period, Shober held a narrow 2-1 lead, but padded when Winston allowed Shober the escape to open the period. Winston shot in at Shober with 44 seconds remaining and Shober was immediately set free with a 4-3 advantage. With just 24 seconds to go, Winston was awarded a takedown despite the fact it appeared both wrestlers were outside of the wrestling area. The takedown gave Winston the one-point lead he needed and despite being called for stalling with 15 seconds remaining, he staved off Shober's upset bid.

Rutgers put back-to-back wins together when senior Matt Pletcher shot at Navy sophomore Matt DeMichiel's (Whitesboro, N.Y.) legs and easily pitched the takedown with 32 seconds remaining in sudden victory to post a 3-1 decision at 165 pounds. The Pletcher win brought the Scarlet Knights to within two points, as Rutgers trailed Navy, 11-9.

Navy, though, fought right back and turned in back-to-back wins of its own. Freshman Luke Rebertus (Elkton, Md.), ranked 20th at 174 pounds, managed to hold off Rutgers senior Mike Whalen, 7-6. After opening the third period with an escape to push his lead to 7-2, Rebertus was visibly tired. Whalen took advantage and brought Rebertus to the mat for the takedown and then with 15 seconds left in the match, Whalen scored the two-point nearfall to get to the final margin in the match.

With a 31-7 record this season, Rebertus has won the third-most matches by a freshman in program history, trailing record holder Tyrone Neal (1998-99) by six and Saddoris, who recorded 35 wins a year ago. Meanwhile, the 31 wins are the third most by a Navy wrestler at 174 pounds, trailing Navy's all-time wins leader Matt Stolpinski who won 44 matches in 2006-07 and 42 just a year ago.

Senior Casey Caldwell (Liberty, Ind.) went out on a positive not in wrestling for the final time on the Mids' home mat. Putting together a remarkable 18-4 dual match mark over the last two seasons, Caldwell earned an 8-4 decision over Rutgers sophomore McPaul Ogbonna. Caldwell, who led most of the match, secured the win by earning a takedown with 52 seconds remaining in the match, while also getting a bonus point for riding time.

With a 17-9 lead heading into the final two matches, the Mids owned a comfortable lead. Rutgers, however, cut into the lead with a 6-1 victory by Karim Mahmoud at 197 pounds over Navy senior Philip Neese (Lexington, S.C.) , setting up the heroics by Russo in the final bout.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Navy as it bid farewell to its nine senior members in a losing effort after leading the entire match. Prior to the match, the nine seniors and their families were honored for their commitment to the program over the last five years. Those honored included regular starters Joel Ahern (Herkimer, N.Y.), Baker, Caldwell, Neese and Moyer, along with Jason Coyne (Trafford, Pa.), Anthony Laurita (Delta, Colo.), Adam Shemon (Hastings, Minn.) and Caleb Weintraub (Sherborn, Mass.).

The Midshipmen will have the next week to prepare for the all-important Army-Navy match slated for next Saturday at 4:00 pm in West Point, N.Y. Navy has won eight straight against the Black Knights, outscoring Army, 182-82 during the current eight-match winning streak.

Rutgers 18, Navy 17125 - Prescott Garner (N) dec Matt Fusco (R), 7-3133 - #10 Joe Baker (N) major Mike Demarco, 18-6141 - Trevor Melde (R) dec Matt Pagan (N), 4-3 (R)149 - #7 Bryce Saddoris (N) major Kellen Bradley (R), 16-7157 - #11 Scott Winston (R) dec Glenn Shober (N), 5-4165 - Matt Pletcher (R) dec Matt DeMichiel (N), 3-1 SV174 - #20 Luke Rebertus (N) dec Mike Whalen (R), 7-6184 - Casey Caldwell (N) dec McPaul Ogbonna (R), 8-4197 - Karim Mahmoud (R) dec Philip Neese (N), 6-1HWT - DJ Russo (R) fall Tyler Moyer (N), 3:26