November 30, 1998

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - The Terps opened the 1998-99 season on Nov. 21 with a solid showing at the 32nd annual East Stroudsburg Open. In a tournament with more than 300 wrestlers and 20 colleges, the Terps had four wrestlers place in the top six of their weight classes.

Leading the way for the Terrapins were sophomores Joe Guzzio (Greensboro, N.C.) and Josh Weidman (Hershey, Pa.), who finished fifth in the 125 and 165 pound divisions respectively. The duo each topped Ivy Leaguers to place as Guzzio defeated Kevin El-Hayek of Harvard, 8-3, while Weidman out-muscled Princeton's Ryan Bonfiglio, 4-2.

Also for Maryland, senior captain Ted Harlan (Glenmore, Pa.), at 149 pounds, and sophomore Mark Mansueto (West Chester, Pa.), at 141, each finished sixth.

PENN STATE OPEN WILL PROVIDE MANY ANSWERS

With only a little over two weeks until the start of the dual season, the Terps are using the final tournaments to straighten up the starting lineup. While East Stroudsburg has become one of the most beneficial for gaining experience for Maryland, the Penn State Open has traditionally been the most demanding. Last year, only Jeff Whalen placed for Maryland. Questions still remain about starters and possible redshirts for the season. The coaching staff is hoping that the stiff competition in State College will provide some solutions.

'FIRST YEAR' WRESTLERS ANNOUNCE THEIR ARRIVAL AT PRESEASON TOURNEYS

Freshman Jake Stork (Mohrsville, Pa.) began his Terrapin career with a bang by taking the 157-pound title at the Coppin Open and finishing fourth in West Virginia. Stork, who was a Pennsylvania state champion as a senior at Schuylkill Valley, posted a 132-16 career record with 72 pins. Redshirt freshmen Brandon York (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Rob Booth (Atco, N.J.) have also fared well so far. Booth finished in the top eight in a tough 165-pound division at West Virginia and York finished first at the Coppin Open--defeating fellow Terp Robert Takseraas in the final.

MARYLAND COACH JOHN McHUGH

Maryland's 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. In his time in College Park, McHugh has coached seven All-Americans and 19 ACC champions.

Name                Wgt.    Yr.     App.    W       L   Pct.    Pins (Fastest)  Tour. Placings (top eight)  
Jake Stork          157     Fr.     3       11      4   .733    3 (1:28)        Coppin (1st), W. Virginia (4th) 
Josh Weidman        165     So.     2       9       2   .818    None            W. Virginia (2nd), E. Stroudsburg (5th)
Ted Harlan          149     Sr.     1       5       2   .714    None            E. Stroudsburg (6th)
Mark Mansueto       141     So.     1       5       2   .714    None            E. Stroudsburg (6th)
Mike Tomanio        184     Jr.     3       5       3   .625    None            Coppin (3rd)
Rob Booth           157     R-Fr.   2       5       4   .555    None            W. Virginia (top 8)
Robert Takseraas    133     Jr.     3       5       5   .500    1 (4:33)        Coppin (2nd)
Joe Guzzio          125     So.     1       4       1   .800    1 (0:58)        E. Stroudsburg (5th)
Brandon York        133     R-Fr.   1       3       0   1.000   1 (1:58)        Coppin (1st)