ANNAPOLIS, Md. - After opening the season with an upset victory against No. 23 Illinois, the Navy wrestling team (1-0) will compete in three duals on Sunday in the Navy Quad Meet at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. 

The Mids will wrestle Morgan State (noon), VMI (1:30 p.m.) and No. 16 Pitt (3 p.m.)

Steaming Info
Fans can stream all three Navy duals on Navy Athletics YouTube. Spectators can also stay up to date with the Mids with free live results through StatBroadcast. Only Navy matches will have video and live results available. Fans can find broadcast and results links for each dual on NavySports.com(.)

Notes For Traveling Fans
• Admission to the Navy Quad Meet is free.
• Vehicular access to the Naval Academy is limited to those drivers with a Department of Defense identification card. 
• All other visitors must either park outside of the Naval Academy grounds and walk through the security gates at Gate 1 or take the complimentary shuttles from the Naval Health Clinic (695 Kinkaid Rd., Annapolis, Md., 21402).  
• The shuttles will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• The cost of parking is free. 
• Visitors 18 years and older must present a government-issued identification card (driver's license/ passport) to gain access to the Academy grounds, while visitors 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Quad Meet Timeline
Noon - Navy vs. Morgan State / No. 16 Pitt vs. VMI
1:30 p.m. - Navy vs. VMI / No. 16 Pitt vs. Morgan State
3 p.m. - Navy vs. No. 16 Pitt / Morgan State vs. VMI

Projected Navy Lineup (2023-24 Dual Record / Career Dual Record)
• 125: Evan Tallmadge (0-1 / 0-1) or Hayden Benter (0-0 / 0-0)
• 133: No. 17 Brendan Ferretti (1-0 / 8-3) or Garrett Totten (0-0 / 0-0)
• 141: No. 23 Josh Koderhandt (1-0 / 17-6) or Frank Antonelli (0-0 / 0-0)
• 149: James Latona (0-1 / 0-4) or Nicholas Vafiadis (0-0 / 0-0)
• 157: Jonathan Ley (0-1 / 0-1) or Tyler Sagi (0-0 / 0-0)
• 165: No. 23 Andrew Cerniglia (1-0 / 16-3) or Geno Quodala (0-0 / 1-0)
• 174: No. 30 Danny Wask (0-1 / 0-1) or Sammy Starr (0-0 / 6-7)
• 184: No. 18 David Key (1-0 / 16-5) or Daniel Williams (0-0 / 0-0)
• 197: Cael Crebs (1-0, 6-6) or Jacob Lucas (0-0 / 1-1)
• 285: No. 13 Grady Griess (0-1 / 9-4) or Jamier Ferere (0-0 / 0-0)

Mids In The Rankings (InterMat / FloWrestling / Amateur Wrestling News)
• 133: Brendan Ferretti - 17 / 18 / 14
• 141: Josh Koderhandt - 23 / 19 / ---
• 165: Andrew Cerniglia - 23 / 27 / ---
• 174: Danny Wask - 30 / 32 / ---
• 184: David Key - 18 / 19 / 15
• 285: Grady Griess - 13 / 14 / 13

Navy Notes
• The Mids started the season with a big upset victory over No. 23 Illinois by a score of 23-18 
• Navy defeated its first Big Ten opponent since its, 21-12, win over Maryland in 2019
• The Mids improved to 125-95-10 against active members of the Big Ten and 2-1 against Illinois
• Navy won its opening dual for the first time since the 2019-2020 season when it beat Fresno State, 25-9
• The win caught the attention of coaches around the nation. The Mids received seven votes in the latest NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Top 25 Poll
• Navy was honored as the NCAA Wrestling team of the week to begin the 2023-24 season 
• The Mids totaled eight bonus points in the match. Andrew Cerniglia (165) won by technical fall and Brendan Ferretti (133) and David Key (184) both claimed fall victories
• Navy claimed two matches in a dual by fall for the first time since its, 33-8, win against Clarion in February of 2022
• Key was named the Naval Academy Athletic Association Athlete of the Week for his performance in the dual. Key took the mat for the 184-pound bout with the score tied, 14-14. His opponent, Dylan Connell, was ranked the 22nd-best wrestler in the 184-pound weight class in the nation. After a scoreless first period, Key pinned Connell just 27 seconds into the second to win by fall (3:27). The Norcross, Ga., native now owns a 16-5 (76.2) dual record and is 3-0 in his career against Illinois wrestlers
• Koderhandt also defeated a nationally-ranked wrestler, taking down No. 32 Danny Pucino by an 8-2 decision. The junior won his sixth-consecutive dual match dating back to last season. Additionally, Koderhandt won the 14th contest against a nationally-ranked wrestler in his career. He claimed the 17th dual victory of his career, which leads Navy's active roster
• Cerniglia competed at 165 pounds for the first time after wrestling at 157 pounds his first three years. The change was no issue for him, as he won his match against Luke Odom by a 20-3 (6:21) technical fall. Cerniglia earned his eighth technical fall win as a Mid. The senior also continued his dominance in duals, improving to 16-3 (84.2) in his career
• Cael Crebs (197) also moved up a weight class. He secured the dual win with his 14-13 decision against Isiah Pettigrew. The Montoursville, Pa., native begins his junior campaign with a 1-0 dual record after posting just a 1-3 dual record last season 
• Although all three first-year Mids in the lineup fell against the Fighting Illini, coach Kolat was pleased with their performances
• Evan Tallmadge (125) took No. 31 Justin Cardani into sudden victory before falling by a 6-3 decision
• Jonathan Ley (157) dropped a low-scoring decision to Joe Roberts by a score of 4-2 
• Danny Wask (174) had to face the top-ranked Illinois wrestler, No. 5 Edmond Ruth. Wask held his ground and forced the match to go into sudden victory. Ruth did claim an 8-5 decision, but Wask still gave Navy a huge momentum boost to help win the dual 
• The Mids will be wrestling in three duals at the quad meet on Sunday. Navy hasn't competed in more than two duals in a single day since the 2016 season when it took part in four. The Mids faced both Johns Hopkins and Delaware Valley two times and won all four matchups

Clarion Open Results
Coach Kolat also sent 12 wrestlers to compete at the Clarion Open last Sunday in Clarion, Pa. 

Sammy Starr (174) had the top placement for the Mids, finishing in second place in his respective weight class. The junior won four of his five matches, which included a win over No. 7 Carson Kharchla of Ohio State. 

Nicholas Vafiadis (149) was the additional Navy wrestler to place in the tournament. He garnered a fifth-place finish behind a 3-1 record. The Quinton, Va., native upset No. 27 Marcos Polanco of Purdue by a 16-12 decision to reach the fifth-place bout. Vafiadis claimed his placement with a takedown in sudden victory to win by a 4-1 decision over Pitt's Jack Pletcher.

Additionally, Kaemen Smith (149), Jacob Lucas (197) and Jamier Ferere (285) won three matches each in their respective brackets. 

Morgan State Projected Lineup (2023-24 Record)
• 125: Julian Dawson (1-2)
• 133: Shawn Ryncarz (1-2)
• 141: Khalid Brinkley (0-0) or Carter Nix (0-2) or Blake Bryant (1-2) 
• 149: Aaron Turner (0-2)
• 157: Eric Tecson (0-2)
• 165: Jacob Marsh (2-2)
• 174: Cortilius Vann (1-2)
• 184: Kingsley Menifee (3-1) 
• 197: Nathanic Kendricks Jr. (1-2)
• 285: Cameron Johnson (0-0)

Scouting Morgan State
The Bears opened their season at the Southeast Open last Saturday in Salem, Va. Kingsley Menifee (184) garnered a second-place finish in the freshman/sophomore bracket in his respective weight class with a 3-1 record. 

The 2023-24 season marks the first time Morgan State is sponsoring wrestling in 26 years. The program was cut after the 1996-97 season, but is returning as the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to offer NCAA Division I Varsity-level wrestling.

Former Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday will guide the Bears as their head coach after being hired in 2022. As an athlete, Monday won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics and 1989 World Championship. He also claimed the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics and placed sixth at the 1996 Olympics. Additionally, he was crowned a champion at four USA Free Style Championships (1985, 1988, 1991 and 1996). As a wrestler at Oklahoma State, he was a three-time NCAA All-American and and won the 150-pound national championship in 1984. Monday has been inducted into the National Wrestling (2001), Oklahoma Sports (2003) and United World Wrestling International (2016) Halls of Fames.

Navy vs. Morgan State Series History
Morgan State will make its first trip to Annapolis for its second clash against Navy. The Mids won the first meeting, 37-6, at the 1982 Virginia Duals. 

VMI Projected Lineup (2023-24 Record)
• 125: Tony Burke (1-2)
• 133: Dyson Dunham (4-1)
• 141: Patrick Jordon (5-1) or Freddy Junko (0-2)
• 149: Ryan Vigil (4-2) or Eric Doran (3-2) 
• 157: Josh Yost (0-2) or Tyler Berish (3-2) 
• 165: Luke Hart (1-2)        
• 174: Braxton Lewis (4-0) 
• 184: Toby Schoffstall (4-1) or River Carroll (0-2)
• 197: Josh Evans (0-2) or Isaac Dolph (0-2)
• 285: Tyler Mousaw (2-3) 

Scouting VMI
The Keydets also began their season at the Southeastern Open. Braxton Lewis won the title in the 174-pound weight class in the freshman/sophomore field. He reached the finals with a pair of technical falls and a fall victory. He defeated Campbell's Sergio Desiante by a 12-6 decision in the championship bout. Six additional VMI wrestlers placed in the freshman/sophomore division, including Dyson Dunham (133). He finished in third place in his respective weight class with a 4-1 record. 

Head coach Jim Gibson enters his sixth season with the Keydets. VMI compiled a 9-8 overall record last season, but won just two of its eight contests against Southern Conference opponents. The Keydets placed seventh at the conference championship. Lewis compiled a 3-1 record to earn VMI's top individual placement (third). 

Navy vs. VMI Series History
The Mids will face the Keydets in a dual for the first time since 1971. Navy leads the series, 12-2-1, which dates back to 1922. The Mids have won the last five meetings and have outscored the Keydets, 134-25, during their win streak. All 15 contests have taken place in Annapolis. 

Navy Individual Records vs. VMI
Frank Antonelli (1-0)
• 12-4-22: Defeated Noah Roulo (GMU Patriots Open), Dec / 12-7

Jamier Ferere (2-0)
• 11-19-22: Defeated Solomon Harris (Navy Classic), Fall / 5:39
• 11-19-22: Defeated Josh Evans (Navy Classic), Fall / 1:40

Grady Griess (1-0)
• 11-20-21: Defeated Josh Evans (Navy Classic), Fall / 1:14

David Key (1-0)
• 11-20-21: Defeated Zach Brown (Navy Classic), Major / 10-1

James Latona (1-0)
• 11-19-22: Defeated Ryan Vigil (Navy Classic), Fall / 1:40

Jacob Lucas (2-1)
• 11-19-22: Defeated Brian Jackson (Navy Classic), Major / 12-3
• 11-19-22: Lost to Tyler Mousaw (Navy Classic), Dec / 9-6
• 12-30-22: Defeated Tyler Mousaw (Soldier Salute), Medical Forfeit

Geno Quodala (1-1)
• 12-4-22: Defeated Luke Hart (GMU Patriots Open), Dec / 6-5
• 12-30-22: Lost to Braxton Lewis (Soldier Salute), Dec / 6-4

Projected Pitt Lineup (2023-24 Record)
• 125: Colton Camacho (0-2) 
• 133: No. 10 Vinnie Santaniello (3-1) 
• 141: No. 7 Cole Matthews (0-0)
• 149: No. 24 Finn Solomon (5-1) 
• 157: Jared Keslar (3-2)
• 165: No. 11 Holden Heller (0-0) 
• 174: No. 22 Luca Augustine (0-0)
• 184: No. 13 Reece Heller (5-0) 
• 197: No. 16 Mac Stout (5-0)
• 285: No. 9 Dayton Pitzer (0-0)

Scouting Pitt
The Panthers come to Annapolis as the 16th-best team in the NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Top 25 Poll. Eight wrestlers in Pitt's projected lineup are nationally ranked by InterMat, led by No. 7 Cole Matthews (141). 

The Panthers 2023-24 campaign began with an excellent showing at the Clarion Open. Four Pitt wrestlers advanced to the finals in their respective weight classes and two were crowned champions. No. 13 Reece Haller (184) and No. 16 Mac Stout (197) both finished with 5-0 records to place first in their respective brackets. No. 10 Vinnie Santaniello (133) placed third in his weight class with a 3-1 record. He posted the top victory of the tournament for the Panthers, upsetting No. 8 Nic Bouzakis of Ohio State by an 11-4 decision in the semifinals. Additionally, No. 24 Finn Solomon (149) won his first five matches before falling to Ohio State's No. 5 Dylan D'Emilio in the finals to take second place. 

The big difference for head coach Keith Gavin's seventh season at the helm is not having Nino Bonaccors in the lineup. He won the 197-pound title at the 2023 NCAA Championship. He became the first Pitt wrestler to win a national championship since coach Gavin claimed the 174-pound title in 2008. Although Bonaccors won't be on the mat for the Panthers, he will still be with the team as a student-athlete development coordinator.  

Pitt placed 22nd at last year's national championship for its third-consecutive finish in the top 25. 

The Panthers compiled a 10-4 record in duals in 2022-23. The season marked the third double-digit win season for Gavin. Pitt was victorious in four of its five duals against ACC opponents, which was the most conference wins in a season during Gavin's tenure. 

Navy vs. Pitt Series History
The Mids and Panthers will square off the 41st time. Navy holds a 25-13-2 advantage in the series that began in 1916. The two teams last battled each other during the shortened 2020-21 season. Pitt won the dual, 22-14, despite falling behind, 14-3, through five bouts. The 2020 dual was the first meeting between the Mids and Panthers since 1997. 

The match served as the collegiate debut for Cerniglia. He defeated Tyler Badgett by a 16-1 (3:08) technical fall for his first win as a Mid. He also took down Dallas Bulsak by a 17-1 (2:38) technical fall in an extra match. 

Matthews and Colton Camacho (125) also wrestled in the dual. Matthews fell to Cody Trybus in sudden victory by a 6-4 decision. Camacho opened the dual with a 5-1 decision loss to Logan Treaster. 

Navy Individual Records vs. Pitt
Andrew Cerniglia (2-0)
• 1-3-21: Defeated Tyler Badgett (Dual), Tech Fall / 16-1 (3:08)
• 1-3-21: Defeated Dallas Bulsak (Extra Match), Tech Fall / 17-1 (2:38)

Grady Griess (1-1)
• 11-7-21: Lost to Jake Slinger (Clarion Open), Dec / 10-6
• 11-6-22: Defeated Jake Slinger (Clarion Open), Dec / 8-7

David Key (0-1)
• 11-7-21: Lost to James Lledo (Clarion Open), Dec / 9-7

Josh Koderhandt (1-0)
• 11-6-22: Defeated Emory Taylor (Clarion Open), Fall / 6:10

Jacob Lucas (0-1)
• 11-6-22: Lost to Geoff Magin (Clarion Open), Dec / 7-5

Geno Quodala (0-2)
• 1-29-23: Lost to Collin McCorkle (Mat Town College Open II), Dec / 2-1
• 11-5-23: Lost to Grant MacKay (Clarion Open), Major / 11-2

Sammy Starr (1-0)
• 1-7-22: Defeated Tye Weathersby (Franklin & Marshall Open), Fall / 4:27

Nicholas Vafiadis (1-0)
• 11-5-23: Defeated Jack Pletcher (Clarion Open), Dec / 4-1 SV1

Up Next
The Mids welcome 13 teams to compete in the 45th annual Navy Classic next Saturday at 10 a.m. The tournament will be held at McDonough School in Owings Mills, Md.