Navy Wrestling Aims for Strong Start
The Navy wrestling team gained valuable insight into its progress during the opening weekend, facing No. 21 Pittsburgh and hosting the annual Navy Classic. Coach Cary Kolat assessed the team's development since last season during these events.
Season Opener Against Pittsburgh
On Saturday, Navy fell to a Pittsburgh team ranked 21st by the National Wrestling Coaches Association preseason poll, with a score of 20-12. Although disappointed by the loss, Kolat was optimistic about Navy's competitiveness compared to last year's 35-3 defeat to the Panthers.
Navy Classic Performance
On Sunday, Navy placed third out of 10 teams at the 47th Navy Classic, which included strong competitors like Pitt and Nebraska, the preseason's second-ranked team. Navy itself is on the cusp of the Top 25 rankings, listed among the “others receiving votes.”
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,” said Kolat, now in his sixth season as head coach.
Team Composition and Challenges
- The lineup is a mix of youth and experience, featuring three juniors, two seniors, three plebes, and two sophomores.
- A major gap to fill is at 141 pounds, where Navy must replace All-American Josh Koderhandt, who holds the 13th spot in program history with 106 career wins.
This early test weekend showed clear progress for the Navy wrestling program, reflecting a more competitive and prepared team than in previous seasons.
Author's summary: Navy wrestling demonstrated significant growth this season's opener, showing increased competitiveness and readiness under Coach Kolat's guidance.