As most in College Park were prepping for the snowstorm about to hit the area Friday afternoon, the Terrapins wrestling team drove to Navy for a dual that was moved up because of the weather. The Terps were searching for their first victory since Jan. 10 and just their second since Dec. 5.
While the Terps kept the match close, they couldn’t upend the Midshipmen, falling 24-18 in a battle that featured three pins and a technical fall. While the Terps captured two of those pins, they lost three consecutive battles from the 174-pound weight class to the 197-pound weight-class that gave Navy (8-1) control of the meet.
The Terps (4-9) began the match well with 133-pound Geoffrey Alexander and 141-pound Billy Rappo notching consecutive victories to provide the Terps a 6-3 lead.
In the opening bout, 125-pound Michael Beck got the start for the third straight time for the Terps. Beck fell to Navy’s Brant Leadbeter, 10-6, for his third consecutive loss.
After Alexander got those points back for the Terps with a 6-4 minor decision, Rappo found himself in extra time battling Nicholas Gil. After neither wrestler claimed victory in the first extra period, Rappo got a reversal on Gil to extend his lead for most wins this season by a Terp with 16.
At 149 pounds, Wade Hodges got pinned for the first time in his college career. The Terps then turned to captain, 157-pound Lou Mascola.
Against Navy’s Drew Daniels, Mascola’s struggles continued as he dropped his second straight bout. The last time Mascola lost back-to-back bouts was at the Midlands tournament from Dec. 29-30. The redshirt senior had not lost consecutive duals this season prior to Friday.
With 141-pound Alfred Bannister sitting out the last two matches, the Terps haven’t registered a victory from their captains in their last two duals. Still, Alexander has provided a boost as he’s returned to full health from a neck and shoulder injury.
Despite some of the Terps’ struggles, 165-pound Brendan Burnham got things back on track when he pinned Midshipmen John Keck after five minutes to tie the score up at 12. It would be all Midshipmen until the final bout of the day.
With the match out of reach, heavyweight Dawson Peck took the mat. After only one minute, Peck pinned his opposition to register a team-high ninth pin of the season.
