"It's time to compete," said Burnett. "It will be great to get out of the room and to wrestle against other competition. We will find out a lot of where we stand this weekend, and this tournament will really test us as there are a lot of strong, ranked wrestlers competing. It will be a very good measuring stick for us and where we stand as a group."
Included in the 20 wrestlers are four freshmen competing in their first collegiate competition. In all, 10 freshmen or sophomores will challenge for titles this weekend.
"I am really interested to see how our young guys perform," said Burnett. "We know they are talented, but until they go against other competition, you don't really know what to expect. It will be a good test for them to see where they stand."
Burnett is also taking three nationally-ranked competitors and seven seniors on the trip.
"It will also be a good tournament for the ranked guys," said Burnett. "It will be good for them to see how they stand nationally and compete against some of the top wrestlers in the country."
Highlighting the Navy contingent is senior heavyweight Tanner Garrett (Tulsa, Okla.). Garrett went 35-5 last season, and has won 39 of his last 40 matches in the regular season against collegiate competition. He owns a 71-28 career record and with just four wins, can become the 25th wrestler in Navy school history to reach 75 career victories. He enters the season ranked anywhere from seventh to ninth in the four major national polls.
Junior John Cox (Grand Haven, Mich.) returns after posting a 29-11 record last year and reaching his first NCAA Tournament at 149 pounds. He owns a 49-17 career mark and his 49 wins are the fourth most for any Navy wrestler in his first two years at the school. He is ranked anywhere from 10th to 19th in the four major polls.
Lastly, senior Craig Dziewiatkowski (Aurora, Ill.) advanced to his first NCAA Tournament a year ago at 165 pounds. He went 29-14 last year and owns a 53-30 career mark. He is ranked No. 17-19 in three of the four major polls.
Navy returns six starters in all from last year's 12-3 team that placed third at the EIWA Championships.
The Mids will head to the West Coast next weekend for three dual meets against Cal State-Fullerton, Cal State-Bakersfield and UC-Davis on Friday and Saturday.
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