ANNAPOLIS, Md. – On Senior Day inside Alumni Hall, the Navy wrestling (6-4, 3-1 EIWA) team capped the afternoon with a dramatic 19-18 victory over Bucknell (6-10, 4-2 EIWA), clinching the dual in the final bout of the day.
 
"We were maybe due to have an ugly and sticky dual and I think we saw that today," Navy head coach Cary Kolat said. "Bucknell did a good job today and has a good team. We had a little flatness to us today but in the end, we got the win. It was nice to have a fast start at 125 and a strong finish at heavyweight."
 
The Midshipmen opened the dual in strong fashion as Andrew Binni (125) turned in a dominant performance, scoring the first takedown 52 seconds in before turning Kade Davidheiser to his back for a fall at 2:56 to give Navy an early 6-0 lead.
 
Bucknell answered at 133 with a quick fall to even the score, but Navy regained momentum at 141 behind No. 32 Caedyn Ricciardi, who jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first period and held off a late charge from No. 30 Dylan Chappell for a 13-7 decision. The win marked Ricciardi's fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
 
After Bucknell tied the dual again at 149, No. 32 Jonathan Ley (157) delivered a key swing for the Midshipmen with an 11-1 major decision over Cade Wirnsberger. Ley controlled the bout with multiple takedowns and more than two minutes of riding time to push Navy in front, 13-9.
 
The Bison narrowed the gap at 165, but Navy answered at 184 when Daniel Williams scored a late first-period takedown and added strong defense in the third to secure a 5-1 decision over No. 31 Tyler Bienus, giving the Midshipmen a 16-15 advantage.
 
Bucknell reclaimed the lead at 197 with a narrow 2-0 decision, setting the stage for a winner-take-all heavyweight bout.
 
No. 14 Spencer Lanosga delivered the decisive moment at 285. After a scoreless first period, Lanosga earned an escape in the second and then controlled No. 30 Lucas Lawler with a key rideout in the third to post a 2-0 decision, lifting Navy to the one-point dual victory.
 
Up next, the Mids will close out the regular season on Feb. 20 when they welcome Army to Alumni Hall in Annapolis for the annual Army-Navy Star Match.
 
Navy vs. Bucknell Match Results
125 – Andrew Binni (NAVY) fall Kade Davidheiser, 2:56 // Navy 6, Bucknell 0
133 – Bryce Manera fall #30 Brendan Ferretti (NAVY), 1:05 // Navy 6, Bucknell 6
141 – #32 Caedyn Ricciardi (NAVY) dec. #30 Dylan Chappell, 13-7 // Navy 9, Bucknell 6
149 – Braden Bower dec. Kaemen Smith (NAVY), 3-1 // Navy 9, Bucknell 9
157 – #32 Jonathan Ley (NAVY) majors Cade Wirnsberger, 11-1 // Navy 13, Bucknell 9
165 – #21 Noah Mulvaney dec. #31 Dylan Elmore (NAVY), 5-4 // Navy 13, Bucknell 12
174 – #21 Myles Takats dec. #9 Danny Wask (NAVY), 9-8 TB-2 // Bucknell 15, Navy 13
184 – Daniel Williams (NAVY) dec. #31 Tyler Bienus, 5-1 // Navy 16, Bucknell 15
197 – #27 Dillon Bechtold dec. #30 Zyan Hall (NAVY), 2-0 // Bucknell 18, Navy 16
285 – #14 Spencer Lanosga (NAVY) dec. #30 Lucas Lawler, 2-0 // Navy 19, Bucknell 18
Attendance: 310