1997-98 SEASON RECAP: The Terrapin wrestling team came into the 1997-98 season after losing half of its starting lineup to graduation. To compensate for the losses, head coach John McHugh brought in one of his all-time top recruiting classes. Senior tri-captains Craig Garrison, Shane Mack and Jeff Whalen also stepped up as they combined to win over 70 percent of their matches.

As a team, the Terps finished the season with a 5-5-1 overall record, 1-3 in the ACC and a fifth place finish at the ACC Championships. In dual action, Maryland defeated Coppin State, 31-9; Howard, 35-12; George Mason, 32-9; and Duke, 25-13. They also tied a strong American University squad, 22-22. Whalen had a stellar year as he earned his second NCAA bid and was named ACC Performer of the Week twice during the season. He also won both the Millersville and Congressional Cup titles. Whalen reached his team-high of 30 wins with two victories at the NCAA Tournament including a victory over Virginia's Jim Harshaw, who

defeated Whalen in the finals of the ACC Championships.

Mack made his third trip to the NCAA Tournament in as many years. He finished fourth at the ACC Championships for his fourth time. Despite a slow start at the beginning of the season, Mack matched Whalen with a 9-2 dual record.

At 134 pounds, junior Ted Harlan was given the task of replacing All-American Jim Guzzio and rose to the task by posting an 8-2 dual record on his way to 18 wins. Harlan also finished third at the ACC Championships, but did not receive a wild card spot to the NCAA Tournament.

While the seniors held their own all season, the freshmen also made their mark. Joe Guzzio made an immediate impact as he won his first seven matches The North Carolina native also posted back-to-back third-place finishes at the West Virginia and East Stroudsburg opens in November. Guzzio earned ACC Performer of the Week honors on Feb. 17 for recording pins in consecutive dual meets.

Although injuries hampered the Terps at the two heaviest weights, a number of wrestlers gained experience. At heavyweight, 27-year-old Dave Carter held onto the starting spot for most of the season, but juniors Jule Dolci and Paul Fitzmaurice also saw action. At 190 pounds, Don Kukan was bothered for most of the season by a reccurring shoulder injury and was replaced by junior Ben Tomaino and sophomore Tony Serianni.

While injuries hampered the Terps at the two heaviest weights, freshmen Mark Mansueto (126), Josh Weidman (158) and Chad Masemer (167) made strides in their respective divisions. While Mansueto had pivotal wins at both the Coppin State and American dual meets, Weidman won a 7-5 overtime victory against Duke, and Masemer had strong showings against many of the area's top wrestlers, including Duke's Matt Mapes and American's Bret Ruth.

1997-98  MARYLAND WRESTLING
Final Record: 5-5-1
ACC Record: 1-3
ACC Tournament: 5th place
NCAA Qualifiers: Jeff Whalen, Shane Mack

Final Terp records
NAME                    Year Wgt        Overall Duals      Tour.        Falls       Hometown
Joe Guzzio              Fr. 118         23-15   5-6        18-9         7 (0:51)    Greensboro, N.C.
Mark Mansueto           So. 126         18-17   4-6        14-11        0           West Chester, Pa.                            
Ted Harlan              Jr. 134         19-12   8-2        11-10        1 (3:30)    Glenmoore, Pa.
Shane Mack              Sr. 142         23-11   9-2        14-9         1 (5:28)    Lancaster, Pa.
Jeff Whalen             Sr. 150         30-8    9-2        21-6         4 (1:00)    Camp Hill, Pa.                                      
Josh Weidman            Fr. 158         16-21   3-8        13-13        2 (2:32)    Hershey, Pa.                 
Chad Masemer            Fr. 167         4-20    3-8        1-12         2 (2:12)    Littlestown, Pa.                                     
Craig Garrison          Sr. 177         18-13   7-3        11-10        6 (1:19)    Pomp. Lakes, Pa.                                         
Don Kukan               Jr. 190         4-9     1-4         3-5         0           Massey, Md.
Dave Carter             Sr. Hwt         9-13    3-4         6-9         3 (2:12)    Gaithersburg, Md.

1997-98 TOURNAMENTS
West Virginia Open: No Team Results

East Stroudsburg Open: No Team Results
Whalen, 3rd; Garrison, 3rd

Penn State Open: No Team Results
Whalen, 2nd

Midlands Championships: 26th place

Wilkes-Barre: No Team Results

Millersville Invit.: 1st place
Guzzio, 3rd; Harlan, 2nd; Mack, 2nd; Whalen, 1st; Garrsion, 2nd; 
Kukan, 2nd; Carter, 3rd

Congressional Cup: 7th place
Mansueto, 3rd; Whalen, 1st 

ACC Tournament: 5th place
Harlan, 3rd; Mack, 3rd; Whalen, 2nd

NCAA Tournament: No Results

1997-98 Individual Performances
Name                Overall     Tourn.
Jay Aldrich         3-4         3-4
Robert Booth        5-6         5-6
Dave Carter         9-13        6-9
Jule Dolci          4-10        4-8
D. Finklestein      2-6         2-6
P. Fitzmaurice      0-3         0-1
Craig Garrison      18-13       11-10
Joe Guzzio          23-15       18-9       
Ted Harlan          19-12       11-10
Ray Henry           0-4         0-4
Scott Herfel        4-7         4-6
Don Kukan           4-9         3-5
Bryan Loeffler      0-2         0-2
Shane Mack          23-11       14-9
Mark Mansueto       18-17       14-11
Chad Masemer        4-20        1-12
Bill Moore          0-4         0-4
Grant Newman        4-2         4-2
John Paoletti       2-5         2-5
Joe Paoletti        1-4         1-4
Rich Pelaez         1-4         1-4
Tony Serianni       1-6         1-4
R. Takseraas        3-9         3-8
Ben Tomaino         2-15        2-11
Josh Weidman        16-21       13-13
Jeff Whalen         30-8        21-6
B. Wilderman        4-3         4-3
Brandon York        7-4         7-4

TERPS IN TOURNAMENTS:
   Mat.     W        L            Pct.
   422      201      220         .476