In RU's last dual meet on Saturday, Russo pinned his opponent in 3:06 in the final bout to lift the Scarlet Knights to a 19-17 victory over No. 21 American.
Rutgers, which last earned a victory over Navy on Jan. 27, 2001, improved to 20-5 on the season and 8-1 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association, extending the program's school-record victory total. It is the Scarlet Knights' ninth victory in 10 dual meets.
Navy jumped out to a 7-0 lead through two bouts before the Scarlet Knights notched their first victory.
Freshman Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.), who entered the national rankings this week, posted RU's first win with a hard-fought 4-3 decision over Navy's Matt Pagan at 141 pounds.
The Scarlet Knights and Midshipmen split the next two matches with each school's nationally-ranked wrestler taking the victory. Navy's Bryce Saddoris, ranked seventh in the nation, earned a major decision at 149 pounds before RU freshman Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.), ranked 11th in the nation, earned a 5-4 decision over Navy's Glenn Shober at 157 pounds to make it 11-6.
Rutgers continued to chip away at the Mids' lead when senior Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.) earned a 3-1 victory over Navy's Matt DeMichiel at 165 pounds.
Navy victories at 174 and 184 pounds halted the Scarlet Knights' momentum as the Midshipmen pulled out to a 17-9 advantage heading into the final two bouts.
That would be the last bout the Mids would win, however as senior Karim Mahmoud (Wallington, N.J.) posted a 6-1 decision against Navy's Philip Neese at 197 pounds to make it 17-12 and set up Russo's final-bout heroics.
The Scarlet Knights return to action Wednesday against Drexel at 7:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.
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