Caramanica grapples with a Navy foe.
The wrestling team bounced back from a loss to Maryland earlier in the day Saturday with its first dual victory since Jan. 3rd and first against Navy since 1998 Saturday night in Reynolds Coliseum.
According to coach Carter Jordan, the team wrestled well in both matches Saturday, and its effort Saturday night paid off in the form of a thrilling comeback victory over the Midshipmen.
ìWhile we were very disappointed that we lost the first dual, we wrestled like heroes,î Jordan said Saturday. ìWe also wrestled hard tonight.î
Early on, it looked like yet another loss was on the horizon for the Wolfpack, as they trailed by a score of 18-6 after dropping three consecutive matches in the 184, 197, and heavyweight divisions.
Fortunately for the Pack, the tremendous responsibility of having to win the final three matches fell to the heart of the teamís lineup.
Junior 149-pounder Darrion Caldwell, ranked No. 3 nationally, described the teamís strengths at the remaining weight classes.
ìThe bulk of our lineup is in the 133 to 157-pound weight classes,î Caldwell said. ìWhen youíre getting wins from all of those guys, it helps out tremendously.î
Sophomore 133-pounder Darius Littleís 15-6 major decision over Austin Clouse kept hopes for a comeback alive, as a loss would have provided Navy with the win, regardless of the 141 and 149-pound bouts.
After the match, Little described how good it felt to play such a large role in the teamís victory, especially after a disappointing loss in his match earlier in the day to Marylandís Steven Bell, who is ranked No. 8 nationally and who also defeated Little in the finals of last yearís ACC tournament.
ìI just wanted to redeem myself for the team because if I would have won earlier we also would have beat Maryland, so I felt like I owed the team,î Little said. ìIt felt good, because I knew what I to do for the team, [and that] if I didnít win, we would have come to the same conclusion as we did in the last couple of matches.î
After an 8-0 major decision by senior 141-pounder Joe Caramanica, who is ranked No. 15 nationally, the match came down to the 149-pound bout between Caldwell and Kyle OíNeill of Navy. Trailing 18-14, the team needed a tech fall or pin by Caldwell, and he wasted little time, recording a pin at 1:35.
It was the 15th first period pin of the season for Caldwell, and it pushed his undefeated record to 28-0.
Caldwell talked after the match about how thoroughly he enjoyed wrestling with the outcome of the match riding on his performance.
ìIt really wasnít any pressure, itís just another wrestling match, itís what I do,î Caldwell said. ìBeing able to get it for my team, actually win a match for my team, [and to be able to] do what I do by pinning, it made me want it even more, so I knew I had to get it – it was on me.î
Caldwellís pin and the teamís subsequent 20-18 triumph left Coach Jordan extremely proud of his team, and he described his admiration for his teamís resiliency and the pleasure it gave him to see his wrestlerís hard work pay off.
ìIf theyíve learned one thing this year, itís to not give up, and I was so proud of our guys [tonight],î Jordan said. ìIím really happy for the kids, because they have been doing a great job.î