November 16, 1998

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Although the dual season does not officially begin for the Maryland Terrapins until Dec. 12, most of the wrestlers will make preseason trips to some of the regions open tournaments. On Nov. 21, more than 25 Terps will travel to Pennsylvania for the East Stroudsburg Open. The tournament, which consists of more than 300 wrestlers and 20 teams, is one of the largest in the country. Last year, the Terps were very successful as seniors Jeff Whalen and Craig Garrison each finished third and current sophomore Joe Guzzio (Greensboro, N.C./Grimsley) finished sixth. All healthy wrestlers are expected to make the trip. Only 20 Terrapins will officially represent Maryland, but the others will enter as unattached bids.

YOUNG TERPS MAKE NOISE AT PRESEASON TOURNEYS (COPPIN & WEST VIRGINIA) Heralded freshman Jake Stork (Mohrsville, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) opened his Maryland career with a first place finish at the Coppin Open on Nov. 7. Stork was one of four Terps who made the trip to Baltimore for the first tournament of the season and the others met similar success. Redshirt freshman Brandon York (Gaithersburg, Md./Damascus) faced off with another Terp, junior Robert Takseraas (Kings Park, N.Y./Seaford), in the 133-pound championship, with York taking the title, 8-5. Junior Mike Tomaino (Allenhurst, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) also had a strong performance, winning his final four matches to earn third place at 184 pounds. This past weekend (Nov. 14), nine Terps traveled to the West Virginia Open and once again made a solid statement. Returning letterwinner Josh Weidman (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) took second in the 165-pound division, losing to ACC champion Jim Harshaw of Virginia by a close 4-3 margin in the final. Jake Stork had another impressive outing with four consecutive wins to reach the semifinals and take fourth place. Redshirt freshman Rob Booth (Atco, N.J.,/Camden Catholic) won five straight matches after losing in the first round to finish in the top eight at 157 pounds.

SENIOR CAPTAIN TED HARLAN Last year, Ted Harlan (Glenmore, Pa./Haverford Prep) had the unenviable task of replacing All-American Jim Guzzio in the Terrapin line-up. This season, he returns as a top wrestler himself, after posting an impressive 8-2 dual record and finishing third at the ACCs.

MARYLAND COACH JOHN MCHUGH Marylands John McHugh (Maryland 59) is in his 21st season at the helm of the Terrapin wrestling program. During his tenure, he has twice been named ACC Coach of the Year (1990 and 1993) and received a Lifetime Service Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. As a Terp wrestler, McHugh was a two-time ACC champion and a three-time NCAA qualifier.

Overall Duals Tournament

Name          Wgt.  Year  W    L    W   L   W    L   Pins (Fastest) Tour. Placings (top eight)   
Joe Guzzio    125   So.   23   15   5   6   18   9   7 (0:51)       E. Stroudsburg, Millersville   
Ted Harlan    141   Sr.   19   12   8   2   11   10  1(3:30)        E. Stroudsburg, Millersville, ACC
Mark Mansueto 141   So.   18   17   4   6   14   11  0 (---)        E. Stroudsburg, Millersville, Congress.   
Chad Masemer  184   So.    4   20   3   8    1   12  2 (2:12)       None.   
Josh Weidman  165   So.   16   21   3   8   13   13  2 (2:32)       E. Stroudsburg