Jan. 8, 2005

Durham, N.C. - The Maryland Terrapins dropped a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference wrestling matches Saturday falling to Duke, 23-18, and North Carolina, 36-3. Senior co-captain Adam James improved to 12-7 on the year with two victories for Maryland on Saturday, including a pin against the Blue Devils.

The Terps (2-5, 0-2) surrendered six critical points against the Blue Devils forfeiting at heavyweight. Maryland's heavyweight wrestlers have been unable to compete this season due to injury. The Terps were on the losing end of three one-point matches against Duke.

With the match starting at 133, the Blue Devils took an early 7-0 lead by winning the first two matches. The Terps stormed back, though, winning the next three bouts. Jared Villecco (149) pinned Philip Wightman in 1:03 and Adam James followed with a fall of Adam Lesser in 4:05 at 157. Jason Kiessling's 8-5 decision over Steve Smith at 165 put Maryland out in front 15-7.

Duke rebounded, though, pulling through a couple of close matches down the stretch to rally past Maryland. Levi Craig (174) got by Luke Stauffer 5-4 and Frank Cornely (184) held off Mark Eberstein by the same score to cut the Terrapin lead to 15-13. Mark Thompson gave Duke a 17-15 lead it would not relinquish at 197, earning a major decision over Jerry Afari.

After the forfeit at heavyweight sealed the dual for the Blue Devils by giving them a 23-15 advantage with one match to go, Kevin Vinh (125) picked up a 3-1 win over Kellan McKeon for the Terps.

Against the Tar Heels, the match started at 133 and eight-ranked Evan Sola got UNC to a big start with a pin in 30 seconds against Sean Carr. Isaiah Britton got by Charlie Pinto, 11-8, at 141 and the Tar Heels scored a major decision at 149. Adam James got Maryland on the board with a 7-6 decision Kyle Shelton to cut UNC's lead to 13-3, but Garrett Atkinson stuffed any potential momentum with a 3-1 win over Jason Kiessling at 165. The Tar Heels won the next four matches, two by major decision and a forfeit at heavyweight, for the team victory.

Maryland will be at home for the first time this season against No. 20 Navy. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Comcast Center Pavilion.

Duke 23, Maryland 18
133 -- Bryan Gibson (Duke) major dec. Sean Carr (MD), 12-0         DU 4-0
141 -- Daniel Shvarstman (Duke) dec. Andrew Schlaffer (MD), 3-2    DU 7-0
149 -- Jared Villeco (MD) win by fall Philip Wightman (Duke), 1:03 DU 7-6
157 -- Adam James (MD) win by fall Adam Lesser (Duke), 4:05        MD 12-7
165 -- Jason Kiessling (MD) dec. Steve Smith (Duke), 8-5           MD 15-7
174 -- Levi Craig (Duke) dec. Luke Stauffer (MD), 5-4              MD 15-10
184 -- Frank Cornely (Duke) dec. Mark Eberstein (MD), 5-4          MD 15-13
197 -- Mark Thompson (Duke) major dec. Jerry Afari (MD), 12-3      DU 17-15
HWT  -- Andrew Herbert (Duke) won by forfeit Maryland              DU 23-15
125 -- Kevin Vinh (MD) dec. Kellan McKeon (Duke), 3-1              DU 23-18

North Carolina 36, Maryland 3
133 -- Evan Sola (UNC) pinned Sean Carr (MD),0:30                UNC 6-0
141 -- Isaiah Britton (UNC) dec. Charlie Pinto (MD), 11-8        UNC 9-0
149 -- Chris Ramos (UNC) maj. dec. Andrew Schlaffer (MD), 11-0   UNC 13-0
157 -- Adam James (MD) dec. Kyle Shelton (UNC), 7-6              UNC 13-3
165 -- Garrett Atkinson (UNC) dec. Jason Kiessling (MD), 3-1     UNC 16-3
174 -- Alex Maciag (UNC) dec. Luke Stauffer (MD), 11-7           UNC 19-3
184 -- Justin Dobies (UNC) dec. Mark Eberstein (MD), 4-1         UNC 22-3
197 -- David Dashiell (UNC) maj. dec. Jerry Afari (MD), 10-2     UNC 26-3
HWT -- Spencer Nadolsky (UNC) won by forfeit                     UNC 32-3
125 -- Bobby Shaw (UNC) maj. dec. Kevin Vinh (MD), 10-2          UNC 36-3