ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy wrestling team (0-1) wasn't able to hold its lead in its Sunday afternoon dual versus 23-ranked Maryland (5-0) at the Wesley A. Brown Field House. The Mids held a 12-11 lead with three bouts remaining but dropped two of the final three to suffer an 18-15 defeat. Both teams won five bouts, but the Terrapins won three by major decisions to collect three bonus points.

The dual began with a tight contest between Sammy Starr (174-pounds) and 27th-ranked Dominic Solis. Starr got on the board in the third period on an escape to tie the match 1-1 but was later called for stalling, which awarded the winning point to Solis for a 2-1 decision. Although Maryland grabbed an early lead, David Key (184-pounds) helped the Mids answer by shutting out Chase Mielnik by a 4-0 decision to even the score at 3-3. 

Navy fell behind again after 27th-ranked Jacob Koser (197-pounds) lost to 12th-ranked Jaxon Smith by a 10-2 major decision, but Navy got back within a point after an intense heavyweight matchup. Eighteenth-ranked Grady Griess (285-pounds) was in a 4-4 tie with 20th-ranked Jaron Smith heading into the third period. Smith took a 5-4 lead on an escape with 1:31 remaining in the match, but Griess answered with a takedown on the eight-year vet with 1:02 left to take a 6-5 lead. Griess didn't allow Smith to score any additional points in the final minute to give Navy its second bout victory to make the score 7-6 Maryland. 

Maryland's 23rd-ranked Braxton Brown put the Terps ahead by five with a 13-1 major decision over Grant Treaster (125-pounds). Brown got a critical four-point near fall with 20 seconds left in the match, allowing Maryland to get its second bonus point of the contest.

Tyler Hunt (133-pounds) helped Navy respond with a 7-3 decision over Jackson Cockrell before 17th-ranked Josh Koderhandt (141-pounds) put Navy ahead for the first time in the match. Koderhandt held a 2-1 lead over 29th-ranked Kal Miller and then scored a crucial two points on a reversal with 21 seconds remaining in the second period to gain control. Koderhandt was awarded an additional point for winning riding time to win by a 5-1 decision to give Navy a 12-11 advantage. 

James Latona (149-pounds) made his dual debut against 19th-ranked Ethen Miller, but Miller took the contest by a 17-4 major decision to put Maryland back ahead 15-12. The Mids looked to 22nd-ranked Andrew Cerniglia (157-pounds) to even the match against 20th-ranked Michael North, but North managed to hold Cerniglia scoreless for a 2-0 decision win to put Maryland ahead by six with one bout remaining.

Navy still had an opportunity to win the match but needed a fall victory from Val Park (165-pounds) in the final matchup of the dual. Park had his way with Lucas Cordio, winning by a 9-2 decision, but Cordio did his job in not getting pinned to secure the match for the Terrapins. 

Navy returns to the mat after the holiday break to compete in the Franklin & Marshall Open in Lancaster, Pa. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Match Notes
• Maryland claimed its 13th victory in the all-time series that dates back to 1951. 
• The loss snaps Navy's three-match win streak which dated back to last season. 
• The Mids suffered their first home loss since Jan. 3, 2020, when they lost to Pittsburgh 22-14. 
• The dual featured four matchups where both wrestlers were ranked.
• Griess earned his second career dual and ranked victory with his win over Smith.
• Koderhandt won his tenth career dual match and 43rd match overall. His victory is also his tenth career over an InterMat ranked opponent, which leads Navy's active roster. He has now won six straight dual matchups.
• Hunt snapped his six-dual losing streak and won his third career dual contest.
• Latona and Treaster made their dual debuts for Navy.

Results
174 | #27 Dominic Solis dec Sammy Starr (NAVY), 2-1 // Maryland 3, Navy 0
184 | David Key (NAVY) dec Chase Mielnik, 4-0 // Maryland 3, Navy 3
197 | #12 Jaxon Smith major #27 Jacob Koser (NAVY), 10-2 // Maryland 7, Navy 3
285 | #18 Grady Griess (NAVY) dec #20 Jaron Smith, 6-5 // Maryland 7, Navy 6
125 | #23 Braxton Brown major Grant Treaster (NAVY), 13-1 // Maryland 11, Navy 6
133 | Tyler Hunt (NAVY) dec Jackson Cockrell, 7-3 // Maryland 11, Navy 9
141 | #17 Josh Koderhandt (NAVY) dec #29 Kal Miller, 5-1 // Navy 12, Maryland 11
149 | #19 Ethen Miller major James Latona (NAVY), 17-4 // Maryland 15, Navy 12
157 | #20 Michael North dec #22 Andrew Cerniglia (NAVY), 2-0 // Maryland 18, Navy 12
165 | Val Park (NAVY) dec, Lucas Cordio 9-2 // Maryland 18, Navy 15