Naval Academy Athletics

2023-24 // Freshman Year
Navy’s starter at 149 pounds in four duals … Posted an overall record of 15-12 and went 1-3 in duals … Earned first collegiate victory against Brown’s Nicolas Romero by a 22-8 major decision … Placed fifth at the Clarion Open where he upset No. 27 Marcos Polanco of Purdue (16-12) for his first win over a ranked wrestler … Finished in fifth / sixth place at the Navy Classic … Also wrestled in the Patriots Open, Soldier Salute and Mat Town College Open II … Won lone dual match over Morgan State’s Aaron Turner by a 5-1 decision.
 
High School
A 2022 graduate of New Kent High School in New Kent, Va. … Earned four varsity letters in wrestling … Also wrestled for VA Team Predator … Won back-to-back 160-pound Virginia 3A state titles (2021, ‘22) after winning the 152 (2020) and 132-pound (2019) state championships his first two years … Also helped New Kent win four-straight 3A State Championships … Concluded high school career with a 140-18 record … Finished in sixth place at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman and seventh place at the Beast of the East his senior year … Took second place at the 2019 Fargo Cadet Freestyle Nationals at 138 pounds … Named Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame 2022 Divisions 3A/4A Wrestler of the Year … Served as team captain of wrestling team junior and senior years … Was an honor roll student and was elected class president senior year … High school teammate of collegiate wrestlers Domonic Baker (Campbell) and Patrick Jordon (VMI).
 
Personal
Son of Samuel and Susan Vafiadis … Uncle, Earl McClain, is a 1979 graduate of the Naval Academy … Attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School during the 2022-23 academic year … Majoring in English.