Jaxon Smith’s bout against Lucas White on Saturday epitomized Maryland wrestling’s dominance over America. Smith found a quick takedown and then exploded, pile-driving White to the mat on his back for a pin victory.

While every other Terp didn’t notch the same amount of bonus points as Smith, they all were triumphant. The Terps dominated the Eagles at South Carroll High School in a shutout victory.

Maryland (3-0) officially won 37 to negative-1 over American (1-2) after a point was taken from both sides due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

Dario Lemus impresses in 2024-25 debut

After missing the first few bouts of the season, redshirt freshman Dario Lemus made his debut on Saturday night at the 141-pound class. His opponent, Jack Maida, was a former NCAA qualifier who topped Braxton Brown last season at 125 pounds.

Lemus showed no rust early. He got deep on a double leg within the first minute of the match and powered through for his first takedown of the season. Maida quickly escaped, but Lemus went right back after him, finding a second takedown after a long scramble for a 6-1 lead.

Maida picked up another escape before the first period ended, but Lemus remained in control. He took Maida down another two times in the second, keeping him on his back foot to grow his lead to 12-3 by the end of the period.

[Seth Nevills is off to a perfect start for Maryland wrestling in his sixth college season]

Lemus’ pace slowed in the third — Maida took advantage. The senior finally found some offense of his own, backing Lemus up for his first takedown of the match. But his poor start didn’t give enough time for a serious comeback, as Lemus escaped and held Maida off for a 13-7 decision.

“He looked pretty good tonight,” coach Alex Clemsen said. “I don’t want to give anything away, but he’s a really tough kid. I’m super proud of him. We call him the Mexican Wolverine. He’s a stud.”

Late fireworks at 157

Coming off a first-place finish at the Tiger Style Open last weekend, Ethen Miller looked to remain undefeated this year against Jack Nies.

Miller had no trouble recording the bout’s first points. The redshirt junior got his hands quickly on Nies, finishing a single leg takedown for a 3-0 lead. He rode out the rest of the period.

Miller continued to dominate the match in the second period, eventually powering through a single leg battle to grow his advantage to 7-0. Nies couldn’t get away from the bottom, losing a point for stalling while Miller rode out the rest of the period as he did in the first.

Trailing 8-0 entering the final period, Nies continued to fight. The redshirt senior, unlike in the previous period, escaped from the bottom to take Miller down and get within four points. Miller escaped. Then, the two got chippy.

[Two Terps win respective classes as Maryland wrestling places fifth at Tiger Style Invite]

Miller dropped down for a leg hold in the final seconds, connecting a foot with Nies’ face. Nies shoved Miller’s face into the mat in response, forcing a separation between both the two. After a quick argument between the wrestlers and coaches, Miller and Nies reluctantly shook hands.

“I thought he was sitting on me,” Miller said. “I should’ve just got up and shook his hand … next time that won’t happen. That was embarrassing.”

Seth Nevills’ hot start continued

Nevills has excelled to start his final season of wrestling, entering Saturday 5-0 with bonus points in four of the five matches.

Facing Will Jarrell, Intermat’s No. 32 wrestler at the 285-weight class, the graduate student looked comfortable. He spent most of the first period pushing Jarrell back, weighing on the heavyweight. Jarrell was forced to backpedal but kept Nevills off the board in the period.

Nevills started the second from the bottom and quickly escaped for a 1-0 lead, then got his hands back on Jarrell. The rest of the period resembled the first — Nevills wore Jarrell down, getting a point for stalling but unable to find the takedown.

While Jarrell finally broke in the third period, Nevills got to him as he slowed down. Nevills rode out most of the period before mercifully letting Jarrell back up to his feet, taking the 6-2 decision win.