What a difference four years has made in the wrestling career of Navy?s Antonio Miranda.
As a high school senior, despite a respectable record, he received zero interest from colleges, as he looked to compete in the sport at a higher level.
Little of that matters to the Eugene, Ore., native now. As Navy?s starter at 184 pounds, Miranda is 28-9 overall for the 17th-ranked Midshipmen, who close out their regular dual-meet season Sunday at Army.
Miranda?s performance this year after an injury-plagued junior season is one reason why Navy (10-4) is also the top-ranked team in the 14-team Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. The Midshipmen haven?t been ranked this high since winning the league title in 1990.
“Right now, the team is working really hard in the wrestling room, and it?s great to see how that work is starting to pay off,” Miranda said.
While Miranda is having a great season, he has not received the national recognition of some of his teammates. Junior heavyweight Ed Prendergast (31-5) is ranked eighth in his weight class nationally. Junior Matt Stolpinski (33-5) is 12th at 174 pounds, and sophomore Joe Baker (15-4) is 16th at 133.
Navy assistant coach Brian Antonelli said he expects big things from the Midshipmen?s ranked wrestlers and the other seven starters in the upcoming EIWA tournament March 2-3 at East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University. The top three finishers in each weight class automatically qualify for the national tournament, with the league receiving an additional 14 wild-card entries. This year?s national tournament takes place March 15-17 in Detroit.
“I don?t see any reason why we can?t qualify all 10 of our wrestlers,” said Antonelli, who coached Navy in Sunday?s 31-9 win over Bucknell while head coach Bruce Burnett dealt with the death of his father. “Everyone is wrestling extremely well, and we?re working to have everyone peak at the EIWAs.”
Miranda said his goals go beyond just qualifying for nationals.
“We have the potential to become All-Americans,” he said. “I feel we can go as far as the teams wants to this season.”
NAVY NOTES
» Navy?s match Sunday at Army begins at 4 p.m. and can be seen by tape delay on ESPNU.
» Navy has won six straight dual meets since winning at Maryland, 25-12, on Jan. 10.
» With its win Sunday against Bucknell, Navy has won at least 10 dual meets for six consecutive years under head coach Bruce Burnett.
» Navy?s roster includes a number of Baltimore area wrestlers, including Tyler Moyer (197 pounds, Broadneck), Brad Pendock (165, Arundel), Scott Steele (285, Towson) and Ben Nichols (174, McDonogh).
