Historic and beautiful Dahlgren Hall served as the venue for the US Naval Academy's annual Blue and Gold wrestle offs last night in Annapolis.
Navy Wrestling Coach and US Olympian Cary Kolat style wrestling of course did not disappoint and neither did the expansive Dahlgren Hall.
Excellent opening bout action featured 133lb NCAA Qualifier Jacob Allen and Plebe Dayton DelViscio. Navy's last NCAA Champion Dan Muthler watched from the front row seats aligned matside, who was flanked by Navy's NCAA Finalist Wayne Hicks, plus Maryland Wrestling Godfather Neil Adleberg, defending 4x consecutive team state champion Head Coach Harry Barnabae of Mount Saint Joseph High School, and about 300 other floor seat spectators.
Nearly an additional 200 spectators watched action from the second deck above the mat. Two heavyweight bouts, including Maryland's own Christian Bryant vs highly recruited Pennsylvania star Ryan Catka (photo above) mixed into the card put the shear size of these athletes in perspective, especially when viewed against the full size propeller plane from the National Air and Space Museum, hanging above the second deck.
NCAA Qualifiers David Key and Andrew Cerniglia brought Dahlgren Hall alive while local favorite from Northern Virginia River Curtis displayed impressive skill. Drydock Restaurant just steps away from mat action, provided spectators refreshments and full meals and the Navy Prep wrestlers back from Newport RI took full advantage, including local stars at the preparatory school Christopher Barnabae, Gene Quodala, Heidi Mae Richardson, Zach Espalin.
The reunion of Navy Alumnus, Athletes, friends and family reduced this bellowing open steel truss venue to a more intimate evening for all and the wrestling brought the 118 year old armory to life. I hope to be back in Dahlgren Hall for more wrestling in the near future!
Hear from the winners HERE
Full Schedule of Navy's Season HERE
