ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Rising senior Grady Griess (285) has been selected as the captain of the 2023-24 Navy wrestling team, head coach Cary Kolat announced Wednesday. 

Griess won the 99th individual Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) title in program history this past season. His placement earned him a spot to wrestle at the NCAA Championship for the first time in his career. He also placed first at the Clarion Open, Bearcat Open and Franklin & Marshall Open in his respective weight class. 

The Grand Island, Neb., native led Navy with 32 victories to become the 50th wrestler in program history to post 30 or more wins in a season. Additionally, he led the Mids with dual victories (eight) and wins against nationally ranked opponents (eight). 

Griess was also one of 105 athletes who earned EIWA All-Academic honors. The quantitative economics major owns a 3.86 cumulative GPA and posted the top GPA in his weight class. Additionally, he was one of only 13 athletes on the honors list with a GPA of at least 3.8.

"The team made a great selection when choosing Grady Greiss to be our next team captain. His career defines what the Naval Academy strives to instill in all the Midshipmen," said Kolat. "His first two years didn't go how he would have liked it, but he never complained, gave up or stopped being a great teammate."