Feb.16, 1998
UPCOMING MATCHES
Sat., Mar. 7 ACC Championships, Duke University All Day
Thu., Mar. 19 NCAA Tournament First Round, Cleveland State All Day
TERPS START FAST, STRUGGLE TO FINISH OFF AMERICAN: The Terps opened the dual meet against American by winning the first five matches to take a commanding 22-0 lead, but they could not finish off the Eagles. Winners for Maryland included Joe Guzzio, Mark Mansueto, Ted Harlan, Shane Mack and Jeff Whalen. The Eagles stormed back to gain the 22-22 tie by winning the deciding heavyweight match when junior Paul Fitzmaurice was disqualified for numerous stalling infractions against American's captain.
DUKE GETS OUT-MATCHED BY MARYLAND: Hampered by injuries at two weight classes, the Terps built off of pins by Joe Guzzio and Craig Garrison, and wins by Ted Harlan, Shane Mack, Jeff Whalen and Josh Weidman to earn their first ACC victory of the season. Weidman's 7-5 overtime decision proved to have the greatest impact on the meet.
WHALEN CLAIMS SECOND ACC HONOR: Senior Jeff Whalen earned his second ACC Performer of the Week award after a string of impressive wins. He shared the honor with Virginia Matt Roth. On Saturday, Feb. 7, Whalen won the 150 pound division at the Congressional Cup with a 3-1 victory over Ryan Bauer of Nebraska. Whalen also recorded a first round pin of Virginia Shane Sigler on Feb. 6. He won his fist ACC Performer of the Week award outright on Jan. 13 after a first place finish at the Millersville Invitational.
FRESHMEN GAINING EXPERIENCE: This past weekend was a turning point for Maryland's four freshmen starters. Joe Guzzio (118 lbs.) had two pins and gave the Terps solid starts to both dual meets. Mark Mansueto (126 lbs.) had a 4-3 pivotal win versus American. Chad Masemer (167 lbs.) faced arguably two of the toughest wrestlers in the east region in Matt Mapes (12-1) and Bret Ruth (20-5) and held his own. Coach John McHugh noted that Josh Weidman (158 lbs.) was the MVP of the Duke meet as he earned a solid 7-5 overtime decision to give the Terps an edge down the stretch.
ACC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: The Terps head to Duke University for the ACC Championships on March 7.
Maryland, which finished in fourth place (of five teams) in the conference, has the potential to make a run at the championship. Senior tri-captains Craig Garrison, Shane Mack and Jeff Whalen hope to improve on their third place finishes from last year. Junior Ted Harlan and freshman Joe Guzzio are each also expected to make a run for their respective weight division titles as each has come into their own lately. While Harlan has accumulated eight dual wins, Guzzio has posted back to back pins to close out the regular season. With senior heavyweight Dave Carter and junior 190-pounder Don Kukan probably returning from injuries, the Terps will be ready to take on the ACC.
NAME Year Wgt Overall Dual Tour. Falls HometownJoe Guzzio Fr. 118 22-13 5-6 17-7 7 (0:51) Greensboro, N.C.Mark Mansueto So. 126 18-15 4-6 14-4 West Chester, Pa. Ted Harlan Jr. 134 18-11 8-2 10-9 1 (3:30) Glenmoore, Pa.Shane Mack Sr. 142 21-8 9-2 12-6 1 (5:28) Lancaster, Pa.Jeff Whalen Sr. 150 27-6 9-2 18-4 4 (1:00) Camp Hill, Pa. Josh Weidman Fr. 158 16-18 3-8 13-10 2 (2:32) Hershey, Pa. Chad Masemer Fr. 167 4-18 3-8 1-10 2 (2:12) Littlestown, Pa. Craig Garrison Sr. 177 8-11 7-3 11-8 6 (1:19) Pompton Lakes, Pa. Don Kukan (inj.) Jr. 190 1-7 1-4 3-3 0 Massey, Md.Dave Carter (inj.) Sr. Hwt 9-11 3-4 6-7 3 (2:12) Gaithersburg, Md.
