After four consecutive losses, the Terrapins wrestling team knew one of the only factors it could control Friday night was its energy level. So against No. 6 Michigan, the Terps came out with enthusiasm and excitement they’ve failed to exhibit in weeks.
They continued to fight for every point with one of the Big Ten’s powerhouses even when the results wouldn’t come.
Ultimately, the Terps dropped the dual, 33-6, with the Wolverines winning the final seven bouts. Since beating a winless Michigan State team on Jan. 10, the Terps have gone 0-5.
“We got a good start, some good momentum going into the break,” coach Kerry McCoy said. “Our guys competed better than they have in a while, at Rutgers and Navy.”
The youngest Terps (4-11, 1-7 Big Ten) struggled especially, continuing a trend after they had flashed their talent early in the season. Freshman starters 149-pound Wade Hodges, 165-pound Brendan Burnham and 184-pound Jaron Smith all fell to their Michigan (11-2, 6-1) opponents.
“A year ago, they were wrestling in high school, in their district tournament or something,” McCoy said. “Now, they’re wrestling in a Big Ten match against a top-10 team. Overall, they’re putting the work in, but they’ve got to get the experience at this level.”
In the second bout of the evening, 133-pound Geoffrey Alexander was able to control his match with Rossi Bruno and extend his winning streak to five. Alexander, who’s ranked No. 13 in the country, got an early take down, and when combined with an escape, was enough for a victory.
“Coach has a plan, and its been working for me,” Alexander said. “Whether it’s a good day or a bad day, you’re just trying to get your hands raised.”
Against Michigan’s George Fisher, 141-pound Alfred Bannister fought to a stalemate for much of the match, with sudden victory forced after each managed only an escape. After a wild scramble in the center of the mat, Bannister finally conquered Fisher for the takedown and hopped straight up in celebration.
“He hasn’t won a match in two months, for him to get a win and break that ice, it’s very good,” McCoy said.
A roar from his teammates and coaches echoed before the rest of the crowd got into it. After seeing his co-captain draw cheers from the Xfinity Pavilion fans, 157-pound Lou Mascola sought to follow suit and snap his three-match losing streak. In a close battle against No. 9 Brian Murphy, Mascola failed to complete his four-point comeback, ultimately falling to Murphy 6-5 on riding time.
Still, Mascola’s teammate and roommate remains confident.
“This kid last year pinned him, and he almost beat him this year,” Alexander said. “That shows the progress he’s making. And to be honest, it doesn’t really matter right now. When Lou beats him in the Big Ten tournament, that’s really all that matters.”
Getting his fourth straight start, 125-pound Michael Beck kicked things off, resulting in fellow 125-pound Jhared Simmons’ demotion after beginning the season as the leading wrestler. Against Michigan’s Conor Youtsey, Beck stood little chance falling behind 5-0 in a 9-5 loss.
Later in the night, 174-pound Josh Snook held a 5-2 lead over Aaron Calderon. Calderon rallied with multiple takedowns, though, and he leaned back on Snook for the pin to extend the Wolverines’ lead.
Sean Twigg, wrestling at 197 pounds, made his first start since his loss to Illinois on Nov. 29, 2015. In his bout with No. 6 Max Huntley, Twigg fell by technical fall.
Heavyweight Dawson Peck finished the match by getting pinned by No. 4 Adam Coon.
After a 27-point loss that had the feeling of a closer one, the Terps held their heads high, knowing they were up against a top-10 team. Alexander described today as an overall “good day for the Terps,” and from here, McCoy knows the experience will help.
“You can’t be happy with a loss, but our guys competed well,” McCoy said. “We fell a little short, but I like getting the momentum going against one of the best teams in the country.”
