Jan. 28, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior Mike Lupa earned a win by fall at 133 pounds to spark Maryland to a 32-13 victory over American in a non-conference dual wrestling match Wednesday at Ritchie Coliseum.

The win improved Maryland's dual-match record to 2-4.

Lupa's victory was one of seven by the Terrapins on Wednesday night, including a pair of wins by forfeit. American picked up a forfeit victory in the heavyweight bout to end the evening.

Terp senior Matt Pandullo improved his dual record to 5-1 with a 15-1 major decision over Matt Pellegrino at 125 pounds. Pandullo, who has won seven of his last eight matches to improve to 13-7 overall, scored nine points in the final period to earn the extra team point for the major decision.

Lupa followed with a fall over Eric Levine at 0:57 of the 133-pound bout. It was Lupa's first dual-match win of the season and his second win by fall this year. Jason Gribschaw gave Maryland its third straight win with a 6-2 decision at 141 pounds, sparked by a decisive takedown with 35 seconds left in the bout.

Tom Kniezewski put American on the board with a 9-3 win over Jerad Villecco at 149 pounds, taking advantage of an early 4-1 lead. John Antonelli earned an 11-1 major decision for the Terps at 165, sandwiched around forfeit wins at 157 and 174 pounds.

Daniel Waters of American improved to 21-4 on the season with a 20-7 victory over Patrick Cissne at 184 pounds. Cissne was wrestling up a weight class for the Terps, but Waters got seven takedowns in the bout to earn the major decision.

Maryland freshman Jerry Afari took a 4-1 lead after one period and went on to a 12-5 win over Adam Montgomery at 197.

"We wrestled hard and I think we picked up where we left off the other night (in a 19-15 loss to North Carolina)," said Maryland Coach Pat Santoro. "We were working hard in every match and that's important. They have a great coaching staff at American, and I didn't feel like we took them lightly at all."

Maryland continues its homestand on Friday evening when it hosts Virginia Military Institute at 5 p.m. at Ritchie Coliseum.

MARYLAND 32, AMERICAN 13
125 - Matt Pandullo (MD) major dec. Matt Pellegrino, 15-1
133 - Mike Lupa (MD) pinned Eric Levine, 0:57
141 - Jason Gribschaw (MD) dec. Daniel Lobsenz, 6-2
149 - Tom Kniezewski (AU) dec. Jerad Villecco, 9-3
157 - Matt Kenny (MD) won by forfeit
165 - John Antonelli (MD) major dec. Dwayne Hash-Barberis, 11-1
174 - Sean Fehn (MD) won by forfeit
184 - Daniel Waters (AU) major dec. Patrick Cissne, 20-7
197 - Jerry Afari (MD) dec. Adam Montgomery, 12-5
285 - Jared Hyman (AU) won by forfeit

(Match started at 125 pounds)