Wrestling 11/3/2025 9:00:00 AM MSU Athletics Communications

Morgan State Wrestling Opens Season at Navy Classic

Full Results

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 2, 2025) – The Morgan State wrestling team officially opened its 2025–26 season with a strong showing at the Navy Classic on Saturday inside Wesley Brown Field House. Competing against a deep and talented field that included nationally ranked programs and perennial conference powers, the Bears demonstrated early-season promise and resilience while earning a 10th-place team finish with 20.5 points.

Nebraska captured its fourth straight team title with 144 points, followed by Pittsburgh with 126, and host Navy rounded out the top three with 95.5 points.

Representing the Bears were Javaan Yarbrough (133), Marwan Nazeer (141), Eugene Harney (149), Sincere Bailey (157), Bryce Phillips (184), and Eric Washington Jr. (197)—each competing in their respective weight classes and gaining valuable early-season experience against elite competition.

Two of the six Bears placed, with Eugene Harney turning in an impressive runner-up finish at 149 pounds and Javaan Yarbrough earning sixth place at 133. Both student-athletes made their first career appearances at the Navy Classic, showcasing strong potential for the upcoming season.

Harney battled through a challenging bracket that featured top-ranked opponents. He opened his day with a commanding 13-3 major decision over Navy's Frank Antonelli, followed by a hard-fought 9-8 victory over Virginia's No. 18-ranked Wynton Denkins. Harney then advanced to the finals after earning an 8-5 decision against Navy's Kaeman Smith. In the championship bout, he put up a valiant effort before falling 10-7 to George Mason's No. 29-ranked Kaden Cassidy to secure a second-place finish.

Yarbrough suffered a technical fall to No. 5 Jacob Vann Dee of Nebraska in the round of 16. He rebounded impressively with a 12-3 major decision over Navy's Hunter Heflin and followed with a 4-3 victory against Virginia's Kyle Monaperto. Yarbrough concluded his day with a forfeit loss to Nebraska's Hayden Mills in the fifth-place match.

Head Coach Kenny Monday praised the team's performance, particularly Harney's breakout showing:

"I'm extremely proud of our team's effort at the Navy Classic today," said Monday. "Freshman Eugene Harney was outstanding—storming into the finals after knocking off the number-one seed and the 18th-ranked wrestler in the country in the quarterfinals. His bracket also included the 15th- and 23rd-ranked wrestlers, making this a highly competitive field."

Monday added, "Eugene's performance didn't surprise me—he's had a tremendous preseason training camp and has been one of our most consistent student-athletes. This performance should elevate his confidence and likely move him into the top 15 nationally, which would mark Morgan State's highest individual ranking since the program's return. Our guys are working hard, competing with heart, and continuing to raise the standard for Morgan State wrestling."

As Morgan State continues its season, the Bears will look to build on their early momentum, sharpening their technique and consistency against top competition.

Up Next: Morgan State returns to action against the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m.

2025 NAVY CLASSIC
November 2, 2025 | Annapolis, Md. | Wesley Brown Field House

133 – Javaan Yarbrough | 6th (2-2)
Round of 16: J. Vann Dee (Nebraska) tech. fall J. Yarbrough (Morgan State) 16-1 (5:51)
Consi of 8 #2: J. Yarbrough (Morgan State) major dec. H. Heflin (Navy) 12-3
Consi of 4: J. Yarbrough (Morgan State) dec. K. Montaperto (UVA) 4-3
5^th Place Match: H. Mills (Nebraska) for. J. Yarbrough (Morgan State)

141 - Marwan Nazeer | DNP (0-2)
Round of 16: E. Lebin (Bucknell) fall M. Nazeer (Morgan State): 3-0 (2:42)
Consi of 8 #1: R. Hartung (Binghamton) tech. fall M. Nazeer (Morgan State): 17-2 (4:54)

149 - Eugene Harney | 2nd (3-1)
Round of 16: E. Harney (Morgan State) major dec. F. Antonelli (NAVY) 13-3
Quarterfinals: E. Harney (Morgan State) dec. 1 W. Denkins (UVA) 9-8
Semifinals: E. Harney (Morgan State) dec. 4 K. Smith (Navy) 8-5
Finals: 3 K. Cassidy (George Mason) dec. E. Harney (Morgan State) 10-7

157 - Sincere Bailey | DNP (0-2)
Round of 16: C. Rathburn (Navy) dec. S. Bailey (Morgan State) 2-1
Consi of 8 #1: J. Brown (Binghamton) major dec. S. Bailey (MS) 11-2

184 - Bryce Phillips | DNP (0-2)
Round of 16: 1 S. Allred (Nebraska) dec. B. Phillips (Morgan State) 3-2 (3:45)
Consi of 8. #1: G. Gammell (UVA) NC B. Phillips (Morgan State)

197 - Eric Washington Jr. | DNP (0-2)
Round of 16: D. Sprouse (George Mason) dec. E. Washington Jr. (Morgan State) 6-3
Consi of 8 #1: J. Anthony (Navy) tech. fall E. Washington Jr. (Morgan State) 17-2 (6:42)

197 – Bence Veress | DNP (0-1)
Consi of 8 #1: B. Veress BYE
Consi of 8 #2: 4 M. Shulaw (UVA) pinned B. Veress (MS) 3-0 (1:05)

FOLLOW MORGAN STATE ATHLETICS IN CYBERSPACE
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official website of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios, and more.
• Follow us on social media:
Facebook: /MorganStateBears
Twitter: @MorganStBears
Instagram: /MorganStateBears

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Eric Washington Jr.: 184 lbs; 6' 4"; Sophomore

Bryce Phillips: 184 lbs; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Javaan Yarbrough: 125/133 lbs; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Bence Veress: 197 lbs; 6' 1"; Freshman

Marwan Nazeer: 149 lbs; 5' 8"; Freshman

Eugene Harney: 149 lbs; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Sincere Bailey: 157 lbs; 5' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Eric Washington Jr.
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: 184 lbs

Bryce Phillips
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: 184 lbs

Javaan Yarbrough
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: 125/133 lbs

Bence Veress
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: 197 lbs

Marwan Nazeer
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: 149 lbs

Eugene Harney
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 149 lbs

Sincere Bailey
: 5' 9"; Senior
: 157 lbs