ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy wrestling team (7-5, 1-2 EIWA) claimed its first dual win in 2024 by a score of 33-9 against Lock Haven (7-8, 3-2 MAC) on Friday night at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md.

The Mids won seven of the 10 bouts and earned 12 bonus points from three major decisions (157, 165, 174), two falls (141, 285) and a forfeit (125). 

"Overall it's nice to get a win anytime you're at home. I think we have to go to our knees more and put more action in the match. I still feel we're wrestling tentative and guys aren't cutting loose," said head coach Cary Kolat. "If we're going to open up and beat better teams, compete at the EIWA and NCAA Championships, then they have to stop being tentative and wrestle like they know how to wrestle.

"It's always good to have momentum coming off a win to get ready for another dual. Bucknell has a very solid team this year. There are a lot of great matchups in that dual meet so it's important that everyone shows up."

Lucas Kapusta gave the Bald Eagles an early lead in the dual with a 10-3 decision against Kaemen Smith (149). Smith scored first with an escape in the second period. Kapusta took his first lead with a takedown later in the period. Smith responded with his second escape, but surrendered a point after receiving his second stalling call of the match. Kapusta recorded an escape just three seconds into the final period to gain a three-point advantage. After receiving another point from a stalling call against Smith, Kapusta struck for his second takedown to take a 9-2 lead. Kapusta collected an additional point for finishing the match with 1:09 of riding time.

Navy took control of the dual with three-straight victories by major decision.

Charlie Evans (157) posted two takedowns in the first period to take an early, 6-1, lead against Connor Eck. Evans scored another four points in the second from an escape and a takedown to go up, 10-1. Eck chose the down position to begin the third period in hopes of scoring an escape. Evans prevented him from escaping and garnered a point after Eck was called for stalling for the second time. Evans concluded the match with 3:47 of riding time to win by a 12-1 major decision and give the Mids a 4-3 lead.

Eighteenth-ranked Andrew Cerniglia (165) extended his winning streak with a 9-1 major decision against Eric Alderfer. Cerniglia recorded his first takedown in the second period to take a 3-0 lead. The senior added another two points to his score in the third period with a reversal. After an escape by Alderfer, Cerniglia scored his second takedown to take an 8-1 lead. Cerniglia earned a bonus point by securing riding time (1:18) to give Navy an 8-3 lead. 

Thirtieth-ranked Danny Wask (174) immediately took control in his match against Tyler Stoltzfus. Wask opened the scoring with a takedown and Stoltzfus answered with an escape to make the score, 3-1. Wask then posted his second takedown and struck for a four-point near fall to gain a 10-1 cushion. Stoltzfus scored another escape prior to the end of the first period. Wask began the third period in the neutral position and the move paid off after he recorded his third takedown. Wask only conceded an escape for the remainder of the match to win by a 13-3 major decision, putting the Mids ahead, 12-3. 

Colin Fegley helped Lock Haven answer with a 5-2 decision against David Key. Fegley scored the only takedown of the match in the first period. Key was close to scoring a go-ahead takedown multiple times in the third period, but Fegley's defense helped him avoid surrendering the lead. Fegley also secured 1:19 of riding time to add another point to his score and bring the Bald Eagles within six points. 

Daniel Williams (197) put Lock Haven back in a nine-point hole with the first dual win in his career. An early takedown gave Williams a 3-1 lead over Cael Black through the first three minutes. Williams scored an escape just seven seconds into the second period and then posted his second takedown to take a 7-1 lead. A second stalling call against Black in the third and the riding time point (2:58) added another two points to Williams' score to give him the win by a 9-2 decision.

Navy clinched the dual by scoring 12 points over the next two matches.

Grady Griess (285), who entered the match ranked 19th in the country, pinned Ethan Miller just 1:23 into the heavyweight bout. 

The Bald Eagles then forfeited the 125-pound match, giving Grant Treaster the first dual victory in his career. 

Gable Strickland gave Lock Haven a win in the 133-pound bout by a 4-2 decision against No. 31 Brendan Ferretti to make the score, 27-9. 

Although the Mids had the dual secured, the 141-pound match between No. 11 Wyatt Henson and No. 14 Josh Koderhandt still had a lot on the line for rankings and RPI. Henson entered the match with a 29-1 overall record and 9-0 in duals, while Koderhandt entered 15-6 and 9-1 in duals. Koderhandt scored first with a takedown and Henson quickly escaped to make the score, 3-1. Koderhandt struck for another takedown with under 30 seconds to go in the first period and then put Henson on his back. The official slammed his hand on the mat at the 2:55 mark to give Koderhandt the win by fall. 

Navy will be back at Alumni Hall on Saturday to battle EIWA foe Bucknell. The dual is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Navy vs. Lock Haven Dual Results
149 | Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) dec Kaemen Smith (Navy), 10-3 // Lock Haven 3, Navy 0
157 | Charlie Evans (Navy) major Connor Eck (Lock Haven), 12-1 // Navy 4, Lock Haven 3
165 | #18 Andrew Cerniglia (Navy) major Eric Alderfer (Lock Haven), 9-1 // Navy 8, Lock Haven 3
174 | #30 Danny Wask (Navy) major Tyler Stoltzfus (Lock Haven), 13-3 // Navy 12, Lock Haven 3
184 | Colin Fegley (Lock Haven) dec David Key (Navy), 5-2 // Navy 12, Lock Haven 6
197 | Daniel Williams (Navy) dec Cael Black (Lock Haven), 9-2 // Navy 15, Lock Haven 6
285 | #19 Grady Griess (Navy) fall Ethan Miller (Lock Haven), 1:23 // Navy 21, Lock Haven 6
125 | Grant Treaster (Navy) forfeit Lock Haven // Navy 27, Lock Haven 6
133 | Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) dec #31 Brendan Ferretti (Navy), 4-2 // Navy 27, Lock Haven 9
141 | #14 Josh Koderhandt (Navy) fall #11 Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven), 2:55 // Navy 33, Lock Haven 9
Attendance: 504

Navy vs. Lock Haven Notes
• Navy scored 13 takedowns while only surrendering four to Lock Haven
• The Mids outscored the Bald Eagles, 59-27, in the match
• Coach Kolat defeated his alma mater to give Navy its first win over Lock Haven since 1992
• The Mids now lead the all-time series, 3-2
• Friday marked the first time Navy and Lock Haven wrestled in a dual in Annapolis
• The Mids snapped their five-game losing streak with the victory, which was their longest since the 2008-09 season
• Navy wrestled at home for the first time since Nov. 18 when it hosted the Navy Classic
• The Mids have scored 30 or more points in four duals this season, which is the most since the 2016-17 campaign
• Cerniglia won his 14th-consecutive match, which is the longest winning streak in his career
• The Nazareth, Pa., native is now 18-3 overall and 9-1 in duals. His nine dual wins this season ties his career high
• Cerniglia owns a 24-4 dual record in his career. His 85.7 winning percentage in duals ranks first on the team
• The senior also set a new career high with his sixth win by major decision this season
• Koderhandt won his sixth match of the season against a ranked opponent. He is 6-5 against ranked foes this season and leads the team in ranked wins
• The junior recorded his 10th dual win to become the first mid to post double-digit dual victories in a season since Jacob Koser in 2019-20
• Koderhandt pinned an opponent for the sixth time this season
• Griess won his team-leading 20th match of the season
• Navy's team captain won his seventh match by fall during his senior season. He and Koderhandt need five more pins to become 10th all-time in team history
• Griess has won four dual matches by fall this season. Additionally, he has earned bonus points in six of his seven dual victories