EIWA FEATURE: Navy seeks strong finish after injury-filled nightmare season
Share:
by Gary Abbott
Bruce Burnett has been a coach for 33 years, on every level of wrestling from high school, to Div. I college and all the way to the Olympic Games. The 2008-09 season for his Navy Midshipmen wrestling team stands by itself in comparison to all of those previous teams.
"In 33 years, I have never seen anything like it," said Burnett, right after his team weighed in for the EIWA Championships at the Univ. of Pennsylvania.
Navy came into the season with a strong starting lineup and a number of top All-American hopefuls. On paper, a successful season was expected. Then came the injury bug. Burnett can just reel off the challenges, injury by injury.
"We lost Patrick McCaffery at 125. He is a real talented wrestler. We had Joe Baker have knee surgery. We were concerned he would be out all year. He has just willed himself back. Joey Breen broke his thumb. He got a pin inserted and he is out all year. Luke Reburtus had a knee injury. He was out four weeks. Scott Steele, he tore his labrum, rotator cuff and his bicep away from the bone. He is out all year," said Burnett.
Whew…
"It has been pretty incredible," said Burnett. "You think you have a solid team with experience and you are excited. But, it is somebody else's opportunity to step up."
Navy ended the dual season 7-9, and had to juggle the lineup constantly.
"It has been a different year for me as a coach," said Burnett. "In 33 years as a coach, I never had a losing season. This is my first one ever. You don't expect that this late in your career."
Burnett, who is always upbeat and positive, had to work hard to keep himself and the team focused through the process.
"I told the team there are no excuses, just results. That's life, that is wrestling," said Burnett. "But I did say to myself, 'What if?' I had to get past that. For me, it doesn't matter who is in the lineup. I am going to prepare just like I would if I had a different lineup. I told the team that my effort will be the same. I expect yours to."
His team has responded. Navy lost six dual meets, either by one match or by bonus points. They achieved two of their goals, winning the All-Academy Championships and beating Army in the season-ending dual meet, 26-9.
"That is what life is about, rising above the challenges you face," said Burnett.
Navy has a shot for a strong performance at the EIWA Championships in spite of the injury mess. Baker has the No. 1 seed at 133 pounds and Bryce Saddoris is seeded No. 2 at 149 pounds, and seven Midshipmen are in the top eight seeds. At this point in the season, according to Burnett, it is all about each individual exceeding goals and qualifying athletes for the NCAA Championships.
"I would like to see everybody max out," said Burnett. "Seeds are other people's expectations. This time of year, you have to exceed other people's expectations and rise above it. It is a tough tournament. You have to be prepared and control what you can control. I tell them, it is all about you. On Monday, you either check in your gear or on Monday, you starting training for the show."
"In 33 years, I have never seen anything like it," said Burnett, right after his team weighed in for the EIWA Championships at the Univ. of Pennsylvania.
Navy came into the season with a strong starting lineup and a number of top All-American hopefuls. On paper, a successful season was expected. Then came the injury bug. Burnett can just reel off the challenges, injury by injury.
"We lost Patrick McCaffery at 125. He is a real talented wrestler. We had Joe Baker have knee surgery. We were concerned he would be out all year. He has just willed himself back. Joey Breen broke his thumb. He got a pin inserted and he is out all year. Luke Reburtus had a knee injury. He was out four weeks. Scott Steele, he tore his labrum, rotator cuff and his bicep away from the bone. He is out all year," said Burnett.
Whew…
"It has been pretty incredible," said Burnett. "You think you have a solid team with experience and you are excited. But, it is somebody else's opportunity to step up."
Navy ended the dual season 7-9, and had to juggle the lineup constantly.
"It has been a different year for me as a coach," said Burnett. "In 33 years as a coach, I never had a losing season. This is my first one ever. You don't expect that this late in your career."
Burnett, who is always upbeat and positive, had to work hard to keep himself and the team focused through the process.
"I told the team there are no excuses, just results. That's life, that is wrestling," said Burnett. "But I did say to myself, 'What if?' I had to get past that. For me, it doesn't matter who is in the lineup. I am going to prepare just like I would if I had a different lineup. I told the team that my effort will be the same. I expect yours to."
His team has responded. Navy lost six dual meets, either by one match or by bonus points. They achieved two of their goals, winning the All-Academy Championships and beating Army in the season-ending dual meet, 26-9.
"That is what life is about, rising above the challenges you face," said Burnett.
Navy has a shot for a strong performance at the EIWA Championships in spite of the injury mess. Baker has the No. 1 seed at 133 pounds and Bryce Saddoris is seeded No. 2 at 149 pounds, and seven Midshipmen are in the top eight seeds. At this point in the season, according to Burnett, it is all about each individual exceeding goals and qualifying athletes for the NCAA Championships.
"I would like to see everybody max out," said Burnett. "Seeds are other people's expectations. This time of year, you have to exceed other people's expectations and rise above it. It is a tough tournament. You have to be prepared and control what you can control. I tell them, it is all about you. On Monday, you either check in your gear or on Monday, you starting training for the show."
Read More#
Five USA Bracketing tips to get ready for 2025 CLAW U.S. Open Championships
NCAA Div. II Edinboro in Pennsylvania adds varsity Women’s Wrestling and Women's Golf
The 2025 Beach World Team Procedures, for U17 and U20 Worlds and the Senior World Series, are now posted
Kennedy Blades of Iowa named 2025 USA Wrestling Women’s College Wrestler of the Year
