For the past month, 157-pound Lou Mascola has found himself in unfamiliar territory. With just more than a month remaining in his Terrapins wrestling career, Mascola has endured perhaps his worst stretch since a series of duals in December 2014.
Mascola has lost four consecutive dual matches, two of which came against ranked competitors. The Terps aren’t worried about their captain, though. They’re standing by him.
“He’s OK; he’ll be fine with time,” 133-pound Geoffrey Alexander said. “To be honest, it really doesn’t matter about right now, because when he beats [Michigan’s Brian Murphy, who defeated Mascola on Feb. 5] in the Big Ten tournament, that’s really all that matters. That’s what’s going to get him to nationals.”
Mascola will get two chances to regain his confide and get back to his winning ways Sunday against a couple of unranked teams. The Terps will face Wisconsin at 11:30 a.m. and George Mason at 2 p.m. in the second annual Beauty and the Beast meet at Xfinity Center.
Despite the latest stretch, Mascola’s nine dual wins are first on the team. Five of them came in Big Ten play.
Last season, Mascola was able to rebound from his four-match losing streak. The stretch included a loss to then-No. 15 Immanuel Kerr Brown of Duke and a fall to Hofstra’s Jahlani Callender, but Mascola bounced back with a six-match winning streak at The Midlands on Dec. 29. From there, Mascola progressed to the NCAA Tournament, where his run ended in the third round.
After Mascola’s one-point loss to then-No. 9 Murphy, 141-pound Alfred Bannister was one of the first people to approach his teammate. Bannister was also in the middle of a tough run, but he offered Mascola motivation and support.
“When you start losing like he is, like I was, the only person who is going to believe in you is yourself,” Bannister said. “You have to have faith in yourself before everyone else.”
Mascola hosted heavyweight Youssif Hemida when Hemida was searching for a college. From that first meeting in Mascola’s Varsity apartment, Hemida knew Mascola was a team leader.
“He showed he really cares about the team and about wrestling,” Hemida said. “Right from the start, you saw his hard work and his effort.”
So Hemida is convinced Mascola can revive his career before it’s too late.
“I still totally have faith because when Lou sets his mind to something, he can do anything,” Hemida said. “Maybe his head is a little foggy now, but he can get after it and beat anyone in the country. He’ll be good when the time is right.”
With only three matches remaining before the postseason, it’s important for Mascola to get back on the right track. Sunday’s two duals offer him the opportunity to gain momentum for the rest of the season and gain confidence before heading into the Big Ten tournament, which begins March 5.
Coach Kerry McCoy is still confident in Mascola. The 157-pounder has always shown the ability to bounce back and defeat the most challenging of opponents, McCoy said, so there’s no reason to fret.
“He’s making improvements and showing progress,” McCoy said. “He’s always been a roller coaster of ups and downs, but I know he’ll level it out eventually. Lou’s a great wrestler.”
