Navy Wrestling Dominates Duke 43-0, Falls to No. 19 Rutgers 24-12 in Season-Opening Duals
By Brian Hradsky
Final Scores: Navy 43, Duke 0 | No. 19 Rutgers 24, Navy 12
The Navy Midshipmen wrestling team opened its 2026-27 dual-meet season with a dominant shutout victory over Duke before suffering a competitive defeat against nationally ranked Rutgers on Saturday, November 7. Competing at the Journeymen WrangleMania event at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Navy defeated Duke 43-0 before falling 24-12 to No. 19 Rutgers. The split gave the Midshipmen a 1-1 dual record and provided an early measuring stick against Big Ten competition.
Navy Overwhelms Duke With Complete Team Performance
Navy wasted little time establishing control against Duke, winning all 10 weight classes and collecting bonus points in six bouts. The Midshipmen demonstrated their depth across the lineup, combining four technical falls, two major decisions, three regular decisions and a heavyweight forfeit. The 43-0 victory showcased both Navy’s experienced wrestlers and promising newcomers.
Nick Treaster opened the dual with an 8-5 decision over Santi Ramirez at 125 pounds. Freshman Sean Garretson followed with a 9-3 victory against Jack Dragoumanos in his first collegiate start, extending Navy’s lead to 6-0. The Midshipmen then delivered consecutive technical falls that effectively ended any possibility of a Duke comeback.
At 141 pounds, nationally ranked Caedyn Ricciardi overwhelmed Hunter Berger with an 18-1 technical fall. Freshman Coltyn Reedy followed with another 18-1 technical fall against Dylan Ross at 149 pounds, providing an impressive introduction to collegiate dual competition. Both wrestlers demonstrated aggressive offensive approaches that helped Navy build a commanding advantage.
Jonathan Ley added a hard-fought 2-0 decision at 157 pounds before Dylan Elmore produced a 17-2 technical fall at 165. Two-time All-American Danny Wask continued Navy’s momentum with a 15-7 major decision at 174 pounds, while Daniel Williams delivered another major decision at 184. Zyan Hall added a technical fall at 197 pounds, and heavyweight Spencer Lanosga received a forfeit to complete the shutout.
The performance highlighted Navy’s ability to generate bonus points throughout its lineup. Ricciardi, Reedy, Elmore and Hall supplied technical falls, while Wask and Williams contributed major decisions. For a program seeking to build momentum toward the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association championships and NCAA postseason, the opening victory offered several encouraging signs.
No. 19 Rutgers Tests Navy’s Nationally Ranked Wrestlers
Navy faced a considerably tougher challenge against Rutgers, which entered the competition ranked No. 19 nationally. The Scarlet Knights featured seven ranked wrestlers and had already defeated Long Island University 51-0 earlier in the day. Rutgers eventually secured a 24-12 victory, but several Midshipmen delivered impressive individual performances against nationally recognized opponents.
Rutgers opened the dual with consecutive victories at 125 and 133 pounds, establishing an 8-0 advantage. Anthony Knox recorded a 20-5 technical fall against Treaster before Brett Ungar defeated Garretson 7-5. Navy responded at 141 pounds when Ricciardi earned a 4-2 decision over Tahir Parkins.
The Scarlet Knights regained control through the middleweight divisions, including a first-period pin by Brandt Harer against Reedy. Conner Harer edged Ley 2-1 at 157 pounds, and Andrew Barbosa defeated Elmore 9-4 at 165. Those results extended Rutgers’ advantage to 20-3 and placed Navy in a difficult position entering the heavier weight classes.
Wask provided one of Navy’s biggest highlights with an 8-3 victory over nationally ranked Ryan Ford at 174 pounds. Despite surrendering an early takedown, Wask took control with strong positioning and an effective second-period attack. The victory reinforced his standing among the country’s leading wrestlers at his weight class.
Rutgers answered with a major decision at 184 pounds, but Navy finished the dual with consecutive victories. Hall edged PJ Casale 8-7 in a closely contested 197-pound bout, while Lanosga defeated nationally ranked Daniel Herrera 2-0 at heavyweight. Those results allowed Navy to finish with four individual victories against a formidable Rutgers lineup.
Danny Wask and Spencer Lanosga Lead Navy’s Experienced Core
Wask entered the season as one of Navy’s most accomplished returning wrestlers after earning All-American honors at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships. His two victories Saturday demonstrated the consistency and competitive experience that make him an important part of the Midshipmen lineup. His victory against Ford was particularly significant because it came against another nationally ranked opponent.
Lanosga also delivered an encouraging performance, particularly against Rutgers heavyweight Daniel Herrera. His 2-0 decision provided Navy with a valuable ranked victory and demonstrated his ability to win a defensive, low-scoring contest. The heavyweight entered the season with considerable expectations after winning an individual championship at the 2025 Navy Classic.
Ricciardi and Hall also emerged as important contributors, winning both of their contested matches Saturday. Ricciardi combined offensive dominance against Duke with disciplined defense against Rutgers. Hall demonstrated versatility by securing a technical fall in the opener and surviving a close decision against the Scarlet Knights.
Freshmen Gain Valuable Early Experience
The duals also offered important opportunities for Navy’s younger wrestlers, particularly Garretson and Reedy. Both freshmen earned victories against Duke in their collegiate dual debuts before encountering stronger competition against Rutgers. Their performances demonstrated the difference between competing against an unranked opponent and facing an established nationally ranked program.
Garretson’s 9-3 victory against Duke showcased his ability to control a match, while his narrow 7-5 loss against Rutgers demonstrated that he could remain competitive against an experienced opponent. Reedy displayed considerable offensive potential with his technical fall against Duke, although Rutgers exposed areas where he will need to improve. Those early experiences should provide useful lessons as Navy continues developing its lineup.
What Comes Next for Navy Wrestling?
Following Saturday’s duals, Navy was scheduled to return to competition Sunday, November 8, at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic at Freedom High School in Bethlehem. The individual tournament provided another opportunity for Midshipmen wrestlers to gain experience and compete against opponents from different programs. It also offered the coaching staff additional information about lineup development early in the season.
The Midshipmen will look to build upon the positives from their opening duals while addressing the difficulties they encountered against Rutgers. Navy demonstrated it can dominate an overmatched opponent, but the Scarlet Knights exposed the importance of finishing close matches and avoiding bonus-point losses. Continued development in those areas could determine how competitive Navy becomes against nationally ranked opposition later in the season.
MSB Take: Navy’s Split Offers More Encouragement Than Concern
Navy’s 1-1 opening record does not fully capture the encouraging elements of Saturday’s performance. The Midshipmen dominated Duke from start to finish and then produced four individual victories against a nationally ranked Rutgers program. Wask, Ricciardi, Hall and Lanosga all demonstrated that Navy possesses wrestlers capable of competing against quality opposition.
The biggest concern involves Navy’s ability to remain competitive throughout the middleweight divisions against stronger programs. Rutgers collected crucial points through a pin, technical fall and several decisions, creating a deficit that Navy’s upper weights could not overcome. Reducing those bonus-point losses while turning close decisions into victories should become a priority.
For Navy, the opening weekend represents a foundation rather than a finished product. The Midshipmen have proven veterans, promising freshmen and a coaching staff led by Cary Kolat that understands what it takes to compete at the national level. If Navy can combine its offensive potential with improved consistency against ranked opponents, the Midshipmen could become a dangerous team as the season progresses.
