Feb. 23, 1998
UPCOMING MATCHES
Sat., Mar. 7
ACC Championships
Duke University
All Day
Thu., Mar. 19
NCAA Tournament First Round
Cleveland State
All Day
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 during the regular season, 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.
GUZZIO EARNS ACC PERFORMER OF THE WEEK HONORS: Freshman Joe Guzzio was named ACC Performer of the Week after pinning both opponents that he faced on Feb. 14 and 15. On Saturday, Guzzio led the Terps to a 25-13 win over Acc rival Duke with a first period pin of Steve Sentner. The 118-pounder followed up his Saturday performance with a pin of Victor Acquaah-Harrison of American University on Sunday. Senior Jeff Whalen received the honor twice this season. On Feb, 9, he shared the award with Virginia's Matt Roth and on Jan. 13, he won it outright.
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.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES: Senior heavyweight Dave Carter and junior 190-pounder Don Kukan, are each expected to make it back by the ACC Tournament from injuries after missing the last three weeks...With three heavyweights--Carter, Jule Dolci and Paul Fitzmaurice--each participating in dual meets over the past few weeks, they are expected to wrestle off for the starting position at the ACCs...Sophomore Robert Takseraas and freshman Brandon York, both at 126 pounds, traveled to the Edinboro Open (Edinboro, Pa.) on Feb. 15 and had strong showings. While Takseraas claimed two wins, York finished in third place.
Most Pins: 7, Joe Guzzio Most Tournament Wins: 18, Whalen
Fastest Pin: 0:51, Guzzio Most Dual Wins: 9, Whalen and Shane Mack
Most Wins: 27, Jeff Whalen Longest Streak (season): 8, Whalen (1/9-1/25)
NAME Year Wgt Overall Duals Tour. Falls Hometown
Joe Guzzio Fr. 118 22-13 5-6 17-7 7 (0:51) Greensboro, N.C.
Mark Mansueto So. 126 18-15 4-6 14-9 0 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 27-5 9-2 18-3 4 (1:00) Camp Hill, Pa.
Josh Weidman Fr. 158 15-19 3-8 12-11 2 (2:32) Hershey, Pa.
Chad Masemer Fr. 167 4-18 3-8 1-10 2 (2:12) Littlestown, Pa.
Craig Garrison Sr. 177 18-11 7-3 11-8 6 (1:19) Pompton Lakes, Pa.
Don Kukan (inj.) Jr. 190 4-7 1-4 3-3 0 Massey, Md.
Dave Carter (inj.) Sr. Hwt 9-11 3-4 6-7 3 (2:12) Gaithersburg, Md.
