Navy Wrestling Shows Progress in Early Season
Navy wrestling gained valuable insights about its team during the opening weekend by competing against No. 21 Pitt and hosting the annual Navy Classic. Coach Cary Kolat assessed the program's development compared to last season.
Season Opener Against Pittsburgh
On Saturday, Navy narrowly lost 20-12 to a strong Pittsburgh squad, ranked 21st in the National Wrestling Coaches Association preseason poll and retaining most of its starters. Although disappointed by the dual meet result, Kolat felt Navy was much more competitive than the previous season’s 35-3 loss to the Panthers.
Navy Classic Performance
On Sunday, Navy finished third out of 10 teams at the 47th Navy Classic. The event featured tough competition, including Pitt and Nebraska, a perennial national powerhouse ranked second preseason. Navy remains in the “others receiving votes” category of the Top 25 rankings.
Coach Kolat’s Perspective
“It comes down to who is ready to perform when the season starts. We eased in last year and it was a wake-up call. We started to perform better as the season went on,”
Kolat, now in his sixth season, has emphasized the importance of a strong start from the beginning of practice.
Team Composition and Challenges
- The team is a blend of youth and experience, with three juniors, two seniors, three plebes, and two sophomores starting the season.
- The biggest challenge is replacing All-American Josh Koderhandt at 141 pounds, who ranks 13th in program history with 106 career wins.
Author's Summary: Navy wrestling shows notable improvement early in the season, with a competitive outlook despite losses and a youthful lineup facing key replacements.