The Maryland wrestling team endured a difficult start to its season, going 0-2 at the Cavalier Duals last weekend. The Terps appeared destined for another poor result at Sunday’s Grapple at the Garden after losing to Princeton, but they showed some resolve with a 30-9 win over Columbia in New York City.
“The first match we were a little overmatched, but I think the guys fought hard,” coach Kerry McCoy said. “The second match, we had to battle with Columbia and could have easily given up a few positions. But we were able to fight through it and come out on top. Good way to finish and keep building momentum.”
Princeton carried five grapplers ranked by InterMat, and four of those wrestlers earned victories against the Terps. The only Maryland wrestler to defeat a ranked opponent was 149-pounder Alfred Bannister, who holds the No. 13 ranking in his weight class according to InterMat. Bannister also defeated Columbia’s Brock Morgan, improving to 4-0 in duals this season and 9-0 overall.
Still, Bannister’s performance didn’t lead to a win against Princeton. Similar to the Terps’ 20-18 defeat to Lock Haven, when they dropped the final four bouts of the match, the Tigers won the final five bouts, turning a 9-9 score to a 25-9 win.
The Terps responded with their first dual win against Columbia, a result McCoy believes is beneficial as the team heads into what he considers an important stretch of training.
“Leaving New York with a win is much better than leaving with a loss,” McCoy said. “It’s a good way to go into our off-week next week. We don’t have any competition next week, so we can really get some good training, working on things to be ready for the next duals.”
Maryland was without undefeated and nationally ranked 133-pounder Tyler Goodwin and 184-pounder Jaron Smith because of injuries. McCoy did not specify what the injuries were or provide a timetable for their return.
“We’ve just got to figure out what to do to make sure those guys are 100 percent,” he said.
In their absence, 125-pounders Michael Beck and Alex Vargas wrestled in 133 pound weight class, though neither emerged victorious. Idris White replaced Smith, and after falling to Princeton’s Kevin Parker, White earned a 4-1 decision over Columbia’s Jacob Young for his first dual win.
White was one of many Terps to defeat their Columbia counterparts, as only Vargas and heavyweight Youssif Hemida suffered losses against the Lions.
After six grapplers competed in their first dual matches last weekend, Vargas, a true freshman, and 165-pound redshirt freshman Josh Ugalde made their debuts Sunday.
“It’s nice when guys step up, especially young guys,” McCoy said. “When they get that opportunity to go and compete, they take advantage of it. It’s nice to have guys who are hungry.”
Despite the loss to Princeton, the Terps capitalized on their opportunity against Columbia. Three grapplers earned their first-ever dual victory, while three more — 141-pounder Billy Rappo, 157-pounder Justin Alexander and 174-pounder Sam Rowell — grabbed their first dual wins of the year.
“We told the guys it was a better effort, better than last week,” McCoy said. “It was impressive, finishing strong.”
