Grapplers Set For Pair Of Duals
2/6/2004 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 6, 2004
College Park, Md. - The University of Maryland wrestling team (2-5, 0-2 ACC) will close out its two-week homestand with a double-dual against Duke and Rutgers this Saturday at Ritchie Coliseum. The Terps will first battle the Blue Devils (5-4, 1-0 ACC) at noon before taking on the Scarlet Knights (4-4, 3-1 EIWA) at approximately 1:45 p.m. Rutgers and Duke will wrestle at approximately 3 p.m.
The Terrapins are looking to bounce back after a 29-7 loss to VMI, a match much closer than the final score. Maryland was on the losing end of four matches that were decided by two points or less. Captains Matt Pandullo (125) and John Antonelli (165) captured victories for the Terps against the Keydets.
Pandullo has been the leader for Maryland in dual matches thus far, posting a 6-1 record and winning three straight for the Terps at the top of the lineup. Antonelli has an overall record of 8-9 (2-2 in duals), but looked very impressive in his match against VMI. Antonelli wrestled aggressively in the third period but could not score the technical fall for the Terps and settled for a 16-4 major decision.
Pandullo and Matt Kenny will be recognized prior to the start of the matches on Saturday for Senior Day. Pandullo, a co-captain, has notched 60 wins and is a four-year letterwinner. Kenny is a three-year letterwinner and has 14 victories over those three seasons. The duo have helped the team to 25 team victories during their time in College Park.
Duke enters Saturday's contest off of a big 21-13 win over North Carolina on Tuesday. The Blue Devils snapped a 30-match losing streak to the Tar Heels with the victory. Duke trailed 13-10 heading into the final three bouts, but posted a win and two major decisions to rally for the victory.
Christian Smith (125) is having an outstanding freshman season for Duke, entering Saturday's match with a 22-11 record and a team-best seven wins. Senior Michael Mitchell (165) has 83 career victories for the Blue Devils, including 11 this season. Sophomore Daniel Shvartsman is on pace to having one of the most successful seasons in Duke history, racking up 27 wins (eighth-best for a single season at Duke).
Rutgers will take on the Terrapins after a full week off. In the Scarlet Knights last match on Jan. 31, a late rally was not enough as they fell 18-13 to Boston University. After dropping five of the first six bouts, the Scarlet Knights won three of the last four but were unable to record any bonus points to cut into the deficit.
Rutgers has won three of its last five duals, posting victories over Franklin & Marshall, Wagner and Brown and falling to Rider and Brown. The Scarlet Knights opened their dual season with a 35-12 loss to perennial power No. 7 Nebraska.
Andy Roy (174) leads the team with a 20-1 record and is currently riding a nine-match winning streak. He is undefeated in dual action, and he leads the team in major decisions with five. Greg Austin (149) has won 100 matches in his career and is 9-5 this season. John Foscolo (197) and Donnie Defilippis (141) are also two of Rutgers' top wrestlers.
