The loudest Maryland fans got during Sunday’s tri-meet didn’t come when one of its five NCAA qualifiers from last season was wrestling.
True freshman Tyler Garvin, one of the lightest Terps on the roster, made his debut against Kade Davidheiser to open up their first match against Bucknell. With seemingly a small army of family and friends in attendance, the Maryland native took down Davidheiser twice and defended all attacks to get the 8-2 decision win, bringing his cheering section to their feet.
Garvin’s victory was one of many for Maryland (2-0) wrestlers on Sunday. The Terps beat Kent State, 29-10, and Bucknell, 26-11, for a perfect start to the season.
Braxton Brown picks up ranked win
After cruising to a 16-2 majority decision win against Kent State’s Tyeler Hagensen, No. 15 Braxton Brown had a much tougher test scheduled in his second match of the day — Bucknell’s 11th-ranked Kurt Phipps.
The first period was tense. The ranked 133-pounders circled each other, sending out feelers and gauging the other’s reaction. Brown secured headlocks on multiple instances, threatening the takedown, but Phipps’ defense was sound enough to keep the opener scoreless.
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Brown went to work in the second. He started from the bottom position, then picked up a stall call after standing up with Phipps hanging on his back. He then reversed Phipps for two more points, and after Phipps escaped he dropped down for a slick single leg shot that was finished for a 6-1 lead.
Phipps tried to answer in the third. Brown started on top and held strong from that position, and after the first minute it appeared that he would just ride out the whole match.
Phipps found a late reversal that made it 6-3 and put him on top with about 25 seconds left. At that point, his only chance was nearfall points, but Brown was able to hold him off for the 7-3 victory and a big ranked win.
“It’s a big thing Clemson teaches us — getting to your offense and going to get the fine scores,” Brown said. ”Didn’t get as many as I wanted to, but came out with the win, we’re just gonna keep moving on.”
Miller brothers debut in new weight classes
With Kal and Ethen Miller both moving up a weight class — to 149 and 157 pounds respectively — the question was how they would perform against bigger, stronger wrestlers than they were previously used to.
The answer to that on Sunday was comfortable. The Millers finished 2-0 on the day, handling their opponents with limited challenges throughout.
At his new weight of 149 pounds, Kal Miller wasted no time in his first match. The junior took an early seven point lead against Kent State’s Billy Meiszner with a beautiful trip off a single leg attempt. He picked up the takedown and four nearfall points after putting Meiszner on his back.
The rest of the match had a lot less action — the only points came from escapes or stalling — with Miller claiming an 8-3 decision.
His second match was a better offensive showing. Miller appeared more aggressive, finishing shots with vicious intent and slamming his opponent to the mat on multiple occasions. He finished with three takedowns, stuffing everything Bowers threw at him to take the 10-4 decision.
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Ethen Miller’s first two bouts at 157 more or less resembled last years’ at 149 — applying overwhelming pressure until an opponent breaks.
He found that point pretty quickly against Kent State’s Aaron Ferguson, finishing two single leg attempts in similar fashion for an early 6-1 lead. Miller cruised through the rest of the match on his way to an 11-3 majority decision.
Bucknell’s Cade Wirnsberger similarly struggled against Miller. The redshirt junior kept Wirnsberger on his back foot for most of the match, finishing two early shots and eventually claiming a 10-3 victory.
Seth Nevills shows off his new form
Clemsen was unhappy with Seth Nevills after the Red vs. Black scrimmage.
“I wish he’d taken it a little more serious. I could tell he was maybe a little too relaxed, a little too comfortable,” Clemsen said. “I’ll talk to him about it.”
But the coach added that Nevills slimmed down over the offseason and appears stronger than he’s ever been. Clemsen thought his relaxed behavior in the intrasquad bouts could’ve been due to his increased “swagger and confidence” heading into this season.
Nevills showed that confidence in his two bouts on Sunday. Kent State’s Brentan Simmerman had absolutely nothing for him. Nevills cruised to a tech fall victory early in the third with floor-shaking takedowns and mat returns along with nearfall points.
Bucknell’s Logan Shephard kept things more competitive, but not by much. Nevills cruised to a 9-1 major decision win.
Following the match, Clemsen was still a little frustrated with his nonchalant approach, but said he can’t be too frustrated with such a positive end result.
”As long as he keeps throwing up W’s and he keeps dominating positions, not going to fight him too much on it,” Clemsen said. ”He’s a grown ass man.”