Maryland wrestling’s Billy Rappo secured his first win after three losses to ranked foes

When the Maryland wrestling team earned its first victory of the season over Columbia at the Grapple at the Garden Sunday, there was likely some relief for one of the team’s most experienced wrestlers. Redshirt senior 141-pounder Billy Rappo, after losing his first three bouts of the season at 141 pounds, earned his first victory.

Before his final season began at Maryland’s Red vs. Black Wrestle-Offs on Oct. 30, Rappo said he was looking to finish strong and “put that Maryland stamp” on his career. His first three matches, all against then-ranked wrestlers, resulted in defeats, but Rappo responded with major decision over Columbia’s Jacob Macalolooy at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“He’s doing the things he needs to do to be successful,” coach Kerry McCoy said. “He’s going to be pretty good at the end of the year.”

Rappo started the season with back-to-back losses at the Cavalier Duals on Nov. 20. Then-No. 20 Ronnie Perry from Lock Haven defeated Rappo, 6-1, while Virginia’s George DiCamillo, the No. 10 wrestler in his weight class and a NCAA championship quarterfinalist last season at 133 pounds, won by major decision. Sunday, Rappo battled with fourth-ranked Matthew Kolodzik before falling, 7-2.

Before the Cavalier Duals, Rappo acknowledged the difficulty of the competition he would face but said it was a good way to see where he stood. After Sunday’s matches in New York City, McCoy praised Rappo for hanging around with one of the nation’s best wrestlers at his weight class.

“It was a tough run for him, but it was a good run,” McCoy said after his battle with Kolodzik at the Grapple at the Garden. “I think he wrestled arguably the best one of the guys he’s faced, and he wrestled really well.”

But when it was time for Rappo to face Macalolooy, he dominated the match, securing a 14-2 decision over Macalolooy. who earned a 5-2 record in the Ivy League last year.

The Holland, Pennsylvania, native has endured a long road to his redshirt senior season. He was the team’s starter at 125 pounds as a redshirt freshman, going 5-7 in duals. He bumped up to 133 pounds the next year, winning both dual matches he competed in but then splitting time with Alfred Bannister at 141 pounds the following season. With Bannister’s move to the 149-pound weight class this year, Rappo appears to have secured the starting job.

Rappo was one of seven Terps to get his first dual-match victory of the season Sunday, though only he, 125-pounder Michael Beck and 157-pounder Justin Alexander had ever won in previous duals. McCoy has seen Rappo develop during his time at Maryland and expects him to build off his first victory.

“He’s a grinder, putting in the work and putting in the time,” McCoy said. “We’ve got to add a few more tools to the toolbox, but he’s definitely moving in the right direction.”