It’s Anchors Away for King Philip’s Griff McCreedy who’s been accepted to the United States Naval Academy.

The 18-year-old native of Norfolk will be the first KP student to attend the Academy in Annapolis, Md. Brett Mazur, a 2017 KP graduate, also was accepted but opted to attend West Point. 

McCreedy’s credentials are dynamic and no doubt played a key role. He had a 4.28 GPA, was 45th in a class of 297, took five AP courses and a college-level course, was vice president of his class, and was a two-time National Honor Society student. 

The 5-foot-9 McCreedy also excelled in athletics. He was a two-time captain in wrestling and he also competed as a linebacker in football.

“When I was in the second grade, I wore a Navy Midshipman’s costume for Halloween,’’ McCreedy said. “To go to the Naval Academy has been my goal since I was eight years old. My dad (Bradley) is a 2001 graduate of the Naval Academy, and all my academic and athletic achievements have been tailored with the Academy in mind.’’

When McCreedy received an email on May 5, informing him that he no longer was on a waiting list, big smiles replaced doubt. “I was extremely happy and pleased,’’ McCreedy said “It’s a dream that’s come true.’’ The email mentioned his acceptance and McCreedy noted that ‘’it was like an anvil lifted off my shoulders.’’

His nomination letters included one from Sen Edward Markey, one from Congressman Jake Auchincloss and one from President Donald J. Trump. A nomination from the President is allowed if a parent served in the military.

McCreedy will be leaving for Annapolis on June 25 for six weeks of Plebe Summer (boot camp). When he’s a sophomore, he will commit to major in mechanical engineering.

‘’The next four years will be a challenge but I’m super motivated to attempt this,’’ McCreedy emphasized. “My parents (Brooke and Bradley) are very excited.’’

KP wrestling coach Mike Poirier isn’t surprised his captain is bound for Annapolis.

“I’m very excited for Griff who’s what you want in a leader,’’ said Poirier. “He was a great captain and ambassador for our team. He led on and off the mat and excelled in all areas of being a student-athlete. I couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishments, not just on 

the mat but what he accomplished on the football field, in school government, and in the classroom. He deserves this because he’s worked super hard.’’

Wrestling at 175 pounds as a senior, he finished that season at 39-9. His career record of 118-51 leaves him tied for fourth place for career victories at KP. He reached 100 wins on Jan. 17 in a meet against Danvers.

“Reaching 100 wins and tying for fourth all-time means a lot,’’ McCreedy said. “It’s something I’ve been working toward since I first stepped onto the mat, and it really comes down to consistency and showing up every day ready to work. There were a lot of tough matches, early mornings, and long practices, so it’s definitely something I’m proud of. It’s not accomplished on your own. My varsity coaches — John Adams and Mike Poirier — and assistants — Chute, DeFelice, Campbell, Cloutier, and Hunter — pushed me to improve every day. And, my teammates made the room competitive and held me to the highest standard.’’

McCreedy hopes to wrestle for Navy and he plans to try out as a walk-on. On three separate occasions, he’s attended the Navy SEALs Wrestling Camp and last summer he committed to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar.

“I attended the SEALs camp to experience what Navy SEALs’ life and training are like,’’ he said. “The summer seminar is for prospective academy applicants.’’

McCreedy’s 2026 post-season results were good enough to earn him a berth in the All-State Tourney. He was first at the Hockomock League Tourney, third at the Division 2 Sectional, and fifth at the State Tourney. He did not place at the All-State Meet.

“I won the Hockomock League Tournament by beating Aschiwat Dempsey (Sharon), Tiernan Ritson (Canton), and Wanderson dos Santos (Milford),’’ he said. “At the Sectional, I beat Brody Conneely (Norwood) in the quarterfinals, lost to dos Santos (Milford) in the semifinals, beat Ritson (Canton) in the consolation of 4, and finally beat Brajae Walton (Wayland) to take third place.’’

At the States, McCreedy placed fifth. He beat Brandon Silvestri (Reading) in the round of 16, lost to Cyrus Jones (Sharon) in the quarterfinals, beat Fionn Coughlin (Salem) in the consolation of 8, beat Jeremiah Delgado (Chicopee) in the consolation of 4, lost to Kevin Ozulumba (Ashland) in the consolation semifinals, and beat dos Santos (Milford) in the 5th/6th place match to qualify for All-States.

At All-States, he did not place, finishing with a 1-2 record. He lost to Jacob Borawski (Williamstown), beat Ozulumba (Ashland) in the consolation of 8, then lost to Isaac Hartshorn (Great Barrington). 

“I went into the Hock Tournament with a lot of motivation because I had lost to dos Santos at a dual meet earlier in the year,’’ McCreedy said. “I had prepared for another physical match with him and ended up beating him, 2-1, in the finals. At the Sectional, I had a do-or-die mindset. I knew if I was eliminated, my career was over and I wouldn’t have lived up to expectations. Fortunately, my motivation helped me to advance to the All-State tourney.’’

McCreedy recalled the advice he heard as a freshman from coach John Adams. “He told us before Sectionals to give it your all so we didn’t have any regrets and that stuck with me,” he noted. “I did just that and left everything I had on the mat.’’

McCreedy’s mat strengths include top-notch skills, a relentless work ethic, mental toughness, and determination. He’s also coachable and athletic. His favorite maneuver is a fireman’s carry, which is a takedown move that starts with a leg grab. 

“Griff excelled because of his high wrestling IQ and toughness,’’ Poirier emphasized. “He was able to get himself out of some difficult positions within a match and came out on top. His grit and determination were unmatched. Even when he was down big in a match, I never count Griff out.’’

McCreedy relies on a style that’s tactical and patient but he can shift gears and get aggressive. “I’m aggressive when I see an opportunity to take advantage of my opponent,’’ he said.

A three-year varsity football player, McCreedy, whose hobby is skiing, went from reserve to starter last fall, getting lots of playing time when linebackers Kyle Danson and Brodie McDonald were injured.

“My first start was against Norwood and I tied for most tackles (6), two of which were for losses,’’ he noted. “And, against Milford, I got my first interception. I was on the team as a sophomore when we beat Marshfield in the Super Bowl. But, against North Attleboro in the Super Bowl, I started the entire game at outside linebacker in our 21-10 victory.’’

McCreedy called the state title “an amazing feeling.’’

“It’s so cool to achieve our goal and it was surreal to play at Gillette Stadium,’’ he said. “Our team worked so hard starting last January and we got the job done.’’

McCreedy relies on a competitive philosophy that emphasizes winning and reaching one’s potential. “But, I can learn a lot about life when I lose a match,’’ he offered. “Life lessons I’ve learned in sports are to develop a strong work ethic, be able to overcome adversity and know that failure can be valuable because it teaches how to be resilient.’’

McCreedy has all the attributes to be a top-notch Navy Midshipman. He’s a high-character individual, an inspiring team-first player, and he’s very intelligent. He’s also mentally tough, determined and has a relentless work ethic.

And, when he arrives at Annapolis later this month, instructors, classmates and teammates will get an up-close view of what desire, dedication and devotion look like.