Terps Set To Take On No. 20 Navy
1/12/2005 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 12, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Terrapins (2-5) look to snap a three-match losing streak as they take on 20th-ranked Navy (5-2) on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. at Comcast Pavilion. The dual is the first at home for Maryland, who has competed in seven duals and four tournaments away from College Park so far this season.
The Mids were off to their best start in 17 years before losing a pair of decisions to top-10 ranked teams Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Catching Up With The Terps
The match against Navy will mark Maryland's first home dual of the season. Several Terps have had success during the early-season tournaments, including 165-pounder Jason Kiessling. Kiessling won the Central Jersey Open, finished second at the Penn State Open, earned a third-place finish at the Southern Scuffle and finished fourth at the Mat Town Invitational. Kiessling has 21 wins on the season. Andrew Schlaffer (141/149) has also had success in the early portion of the season, winning the Central Jesey Open, finishing eighth at the Mat Town Invitational and second at the Penn State Open.
As a team, Maryland finished eighth at the Body Bar Inviational, 13th at the Mat Town Invitational (25.5 pts.) and the Southern Scuffle (31 pts.). The Terps opened the dual portion of the schedule with a pair of losses at Rider and Rutgers, but bounced back at the Missouri Duals with wins against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (41-6) and Utah Valley State (35-9) before falling to No. 8 Missouri (47-0).
Last week, Maryland dropped a pair of duals to ACC foes Duke and North Carolina. The Terps had a good chance to defeat the Blue Devils, but could not overcome a forfeit at heavyweight and lost 23-18. Maryland lost its second dual of the day 36-3 at North Carolina.
About Navy
The Midshipmen enter tonight's contest ranked 20th in the country with a 5-2 record, losing only to nationally ranked Oklahoma and Nebraska. Navy has five ranked wrestlers in the lineup, highlighted by No. 13 Nate Gulosh at 141 pounds and No. 15 Tanner Garrett at heavyweight. Gulosh is 18-4 on the year, and recently had a 13-match win streak snapped by No. 6 Matt Murray of Nebraska. Garrett has won seven in a row, including three over ranked foes, and sports an impressive 20-2 mark. Others include Sam Gray, John Cox and Thayer Paxton (19th at 197). The Midshipmen have won 18 out of the last 19 with the Terps, losing only in 1997.
Team Captains
The Maryland captains this season are juniors Adam James and Jason Gribschaw. James, who was named All-ACC in 2003, redshirted last season. Gribschaw was second on the team a year ago with 17 victories.
Next Time Out
The Terps will return to action next weekend with dual matches on the road against Virginia Military Institute and ACC newcomer Virginia Tech. Maryland will take on VMI on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. before returning to the mat to take on the Hokies on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. Maryland will return to Comcast Pavilion on Saturday, January 29, for a pair of duals against Duquesne and UNC Greensboro beginning at noon.
Terp Stat Leaders
Wins Jason Kiessling (165)...........21 Andrew Schlaffer (141/149)......15 Charlie Pinto (141).............14Falls Charlie Pinto (141).............3 Six others......................2
Tech. Falls Andrew Schlaffer (141/149)......1
Major Decisions Adam James (157)................4 Jason Kiessling (165)...........4 Andrew Schlaffer (141/149)......3
Dual Meet Points Adam James (157)................15 Jason Kiessling (165)...........6 Jared Villecco (149)............6
