ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy wrestling team (1-2, 1-0 in the EIWA) splits its two duals at the Navy Tri Meet on Saturday at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. The Mids defeated Drexel, 29-9, and fell to No. 25 North Carolina, 23-16, in a battle that was determined in the final bout.

"We saw some good stuff in the match against Drexel. We switched up our lineup and we will continue to do so until someone begins to separate themselves. Overall, I thought we looked okay overall against Drexel," remarked head coach Cary Kolat. "With North Carolina, I saw them take control of the middle of the mat. We still had a chance to win it when it came down to heavyweight, but overall we didn't do our job and I saw guys make big mistakes at the end of periods. You can't lose focus like that, not in division I wrestling."

Navy vs. Drexel – Final Score: 29, Drexel 9

Attendance (452)

Navy opened its day with a 29-9 win against Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) foe Drexel (0-2, 0-1 in the EIWA). The Midshipmen won seven bouts with four bonus point victories against the Dragons.

Garrett Totten (125) got the action started as he made his first collegiate dual start against Desmond Pleasant. Totten trailed 4-1 to begin the second period the Allentown, N.J., native rattled off eight straight points with a body lock takedown, four near fall points and an escape to earn his first victory of the season.

The Dragons earned its first victory at 133 pounds, which featured a high scoring 13-10 decision sudden victory by Kyle Waterman over junior Brendan Ferretti. Despite losing the match, the Mids maintained their lead as Drexel was penalized one team point for a coach walking on the mat in the overtime period to make the score, 3-2.

Navy responded winning the next two matches thanks to team captain and ninth-ranked Josh Koderhandt (141) tech fall (19-4), followed by a tight 7-6 decision by Kaemen Smith (149) to extend the teams lead, 11-2.

The Dragons attempted to narrow the Mids' lead with a 13-4 major decision victory over Devon Deem at 157 pounds. Deem held a 4-2 lead, but a takedown and four back points switched the momentum of the match to give Drexel a much needed four team points.

The Midshipmen answered back to win the next four weight classes, including three bonus-point matches. Tyler Sagi earned his first career ranked victory with a major 11-3 upset over No. 31 Cody Walsh. The Old Bridge, N.J., native exploded with three takedowns and controlled Walsh with nearly 90 seconds of riding time.

Navy's two other bonus point victories came from No. 22 Danny Wask (174) with a dominate 21-4 tech fall; freshman Payton Thomas (197) recorded his first collegiate victory with a second period pin.

Daniel Williams (184) has had a big start to the season with his second ranked victory in two weeks as he knocked off No. 32 Giuseppe Hoose, 9-2.

Navy vs. Drexel Dual Results

125 | Garrett Trotten (NAVY) dec. Desmond Pleasant, 9-4 // Navy 3, Drexel 0

133 | Kyle Waterman dec. Brendan Ferretti (NAVY), 13-10 SV-1 // Navy 3, Drexel 2

141 | #9 Josh Koderhandt (NAVY) tech fall Jordan Soriano, 19-4 (6:02) // Navy 8, Drexel 2

149 | Kaemen Smith (NAVY) dec. Dom Findora, 7-6 // Navy 11, Drexel 2

157 | Luke Nitcher major Devon Deem (NAVY), 13-4 // Navy 11, Drexel 6

165 | Tyler Sagi (NAVY) major #31 Cody Walsh, 11-3 // Navy 15, Drexel 6

174 | #22 Danny Wask (NAVY) tech fall Dom D'Agostino, 21-4 (5:12) // Navy 20, Drexel 6

184 | Daniel Williams (NAVY) dec. #32 Giuseppe Hoose, 9-2 // Navy 23, Drexel 6

197 | Payton Thomas (NAVY) fall Ethan Wilson, 4:37 // Navy 29, Drexel 6

285 | Dom Petracci dec. Alistair Larson (NAVY), 4-1 // Navy 29, Drexel 9

Navy vs. No. 25 North Carolina – Final Score: 23, Drexel 16

Attendance (452)

Navy and No. 25 North Carolina (1-0) met for the 60th time in a series that dates back to 1930. The Tar Heels opened the dual winning four of the first five bouts (125, 133, 149 and 157 pounds) with three bonus point victories for their largest lead of the night (+13).

Koderhandt put up the first three points for the Mids with his 7-2 decision over Jayden Scott. Both wrestlers went into the second period in a 0-0 deadlock, Koderhandt elected the down position for a quick escape point and swept Scott for a quick 4-0 lead. The ninth-ranked Koderhandt added one final takedown in the third for his second victory of the day.

Navy chipped away at North Carolina's lead with back-to-back victories, including an injury default for Sagi in the second period at 165 pounds. Wask was in a tight battle at 174 pounds as he had a 3-2 lead going into the final period, a takedown in the final minute was the dagger to bring the Mids within four, 16-12.

The Tar Heels claimed a victory at 184 pounds as 22nd-ranked Gavin Kane knocked off Williams, 5-1.

Thomas gave Navy new life with four points to bring the team within three (19-16) with a dominant 18-6 victory over Cade Lautt. The freshmen had four takedowns and tallied four near fall points.

In the determining bout at 285 pounds, Alistair Larson went into the third period with a 1-0 lead over 33rd-ranked Aydin Guttridge. A crucial pair of takedowns by Guttridge and four back points spoiled a potential home upset victory for the Midshipmen.

Navy vs. North Carolina Dual Results

125 | #26 Spencer Moore major Garrett Totten (NAVY), 17-4 // North Carolina 4, Navy 0

133 | #17 Ethan Oakley dec. Brendan Ferretti (NAVY), 5-1 // North Carolina 7, Navy 0

141 | #9 Josh Koderhandt (NAVY) dec. Jayden Scott, 7-2 // North Carolina 7, Navy 3

149 | #6 Lachlan McNeil tech fall Kaemen Smith (NAVY), 19-4 (6:19) // North Carolina 12, Navy 3

157 | #26 Sonny Santiago major Charlie Evans (NAVY), 13-3 // North Carolina 16, Navy 3

165 | Tyler Sagi (NAVY) injury default Nicholas Fea, 5:20 // North Carolina 16, Navy 9

174 | #22 Danny Wask (NAVY) dec. Isaias Estrada, 6-2 // North Carolina 16, Navy 12

184 | #22 Gavin Kane dec. Daniel Williams (NAVY), 5-1 // North Carolina 19, Navy 12

197 | Payton Thomas (NAVY) major Cade Lautt, 18-6 // North Carolina 19, Navy 16

285 | #33 Aydin Guttridge major Alistair Larson (NAVY) // North Carolina 23, Navy 16

Up Next

Navy will hit the road for another big test when it faces No. 6 Iowa State at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Action is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT).