ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy won eight of the 10 bouts en route to a 27-9 victory over Army in an EIWA dual match Friday evening inside Alumni Hall.

The match began at 133 pounds and Navy (6-6, 2-2 EIWA) secured an early 3-0 lead after Aaron Kalil took a 5-4 decision from Army junior Jordan Thome. The Midshipmen won by decision at 141 pounds, 149 pounds and 157 pounds to open up a commanding 12-0 cushion.

Army (8-6, 5-2 EIWA) got on the scoreboard in the 165-pound bout as Black Knight freshman Cole Gracey pinned Mason Bailey in six minutes, 42 seconds. The Army plebe overcame an early 2-0 deficit and held a 3-2 edge when he took Bailey to the mat late in the third period. Gracey’s win by fall sliced Navy’s lead in half (12-6) at the midway point of the match.

Navy ended any hopes of an Army comeback by posting convincing wins at 174 pounds and 184 pounds to increase its lead to 20-6 with three bouts remaining.

Army senior Derek Stanley pulled the Black Knights to within 20-9 by recording a 4-1 victory over Paul Rands in the 197-pound bout, but Navy won the final two matches to cap the scoring.

Army returns to action in two weeks (March 3-4) when the Black Knights travel to Princeton, N.J., to compete at the 108th annual EIWA Championships.

Match Notes: Army falls to 5-46-5 all-time versus Navy … Navy has won the last 12 meetings between the two rival service academies … Cole Gracey’s win was his 20th of the season (20-12) … Gracey, who has won 13 of his last 14 bouts, ranks second on the team with seven pins and 11 bonus-point victories … Derek Stanley has won five straight bouts and 12 of his last 15 overall.

Navy 27, Army 9
125: Tyler Sackett (N) maj. dec. Scott Filbert, 15-7
133: Aaron Kalil (N) dec. Jordan Thome, 5-4
141: Dustin Haislip (N) dec. Tyler Rauenzahn, 6-1
149: Joe Locksmith (N) dec. Ryan Bilyeu, 5-3
157: Bobby Barnhisel (N) dec. Jimmy Rafferty, 8-1
165: Cole Gracey (A) pinned Mason Bailey, 6:42
174: Oscar Huntley (N) dec. Collin Wittmeyer dec., 6-0
184: #13 Luke Rebertus tech fall Michael Gorman, 17-2
197: Derek Stanley (A) dec. Paul Rands, 4-1
285: Dan Miller (N) dec. Daniel Mills, 6-1
* – The match started at 133 pounds