Feb. 11, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Terrapins take on ACC rival NC State today at 2 p.m. in Comcast Pavilion (the match was originally scheduled for 3 p.m). The Terps are back in action after dropping a dual to Lehigh last week while the Wolfpack will face Virginia on Friday night before traveling to College Park for the dual on Saturday. With all of the various activities surrounding Comcast Center on Saturday, fans attending the wrestling match are encouraged to park in Lot 9B.

In last season's matchup, the Wolfpack defeated Maryland 32-3 in Raliegh, N.C. Just one wrestler (Andrew Schlaffer) that was in Maryland's lineup last year is schedule to compete in today's dual. Maryland has not defeated NC State since 1997, when the Terps downed the Wolfpack 32-6 at Cole Field House.

Last Time Out
Sophomore Charlie Pinto registered the lone Maryland win as fourth-ranked Lehigh defeated the Terps 39-4 in Charlottesville, Va. The Terps again fielded a thin lineup, giving up forfeits at 125 and heavyweight and were without Adam James for the fifth straight dual.

The Mountain Hawks got off to a fast start as Andrew Rizzi won by forfeit at 125 then No. 5 Matt Ciasulli scored an 8-0 major decision over Sean Carr. Pinto helped Maryland get on the board with a 14-5 major decision over Matt McCauley. The win improved Pinto's record to 19-9 on the year and 6-3 in dual competition.

In one of the more exciting bouts of the afternoon freshman Dave Nakasone built an early lead then utilized three near fall points late to pick up a 14-7 decision over Andrew Schaffler. Matt Anderson picked up a tech fall over Matt Rothstein, putting the Brown and White up 18-4 at the halfway point.

Brian LaMay, wrestling in place of No. 1 Troy Letters, who was resting his knee bested Jason Kiessling 11-3 using a takedown in the final seconds to score the major. The Moutain Hawks got two more major decisions at 174 and 184, and Maryland's Yony Noy battled at 197 but lost 4-0 to Jon Bruno. The Terps closed the match with a forfeit at heavyweight.

About The Wolfpack
NC State, the 2004 ACC Tournament champions, are again one of the top teams in the conference. The Wolfpack's top performer since January has been senior 149-pounder Alex Hernandez, who is 10-5 and has won five matches in a row, and seven of his last nine. Freshman 157-pounder Kody Hamrah is 10-9 and has won three of his last four bouts.

The Wolfpack return three wrestlers who competed in last year's NCAA Tournament in Jeremy Hartrum, Alex Hernandez and Zach Garren. Hartrum, though, suffered a knee injury and will not likely see the mat against the Terps.

NC State has already faced some of the top teams in the country this year, including three teams ranked in the top 10 in the country in Lehigh, Illinois and Nebraska.

Common Opponents
Maryland and NC State have four common opponents this year in Lehigh, UNC Greensboro, North Carolina and Navy. The Wolfpack are 2-2 against those teams with wins against Northa Carolina and UNCG, while the Terps are 0-4 against that competition.

20-Something's
With Charlie Pinto's next win, he will join Jason Kiessling as a 20-match winner this season. The last time Maryland had two 20-match winners was in the 2002-03 season when Jake Stork won 39 and John-Henry Zarzycki won 23.

If Andrew Schlaffer is able to pick up three more wins, it will mark the first time three Terps have won 20 matches in a season since the 2001-02 campaign when four Maryland grapplers surpassed the 20-win mark.

Next Time Out
The Terps will make the short trip to Washington, D.C., to take on American tomorrow at 6 p.m. Maryland defeated the Eagles last season, 32-13. The Terrapins return to Comcast Pavilion on Friday, Feb. 18 for a 7:30 p.m. dual against George Mason. Maryland will wrap up its dual season at home the following day against Virginia at 1 p.m.