Oct. 26, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland wrestling team opened its 2006-07 campaign with the Red & Black Wrestle-Offs on October 26 at the Comcast Pavilion. Fans piled in to watch the Terrapins for the first time this season and watched the red team beat the black team, 27-16, in exhibition action.

Redshirt freshman Mookie Golden got things off to an exciting start when he won, 5-4, on a last second takedown against freshman Lou Ruland at 125 pounds. It took overtime to settle the second match of the night between sophomore Mike McGill and senior Jerad Villecco at 157, but McGill won, 4-2, with a takedown in the extra session. McGill also won the last match of the exhibition, 3-1, against redshirt freshman Eric Grida, who had won earlier in the night.

Junior Andrew Schlaffer, redshirt freshman Hudson Taylor, and senior Jerry Afari all won by major decision in their matches.

The two pins of the night came in wins from senior Jason Kiessling and freshman Mike Letts.

The Terps open the 2006-07 season on Saturday, November 4 when they travel to Erie, Pa. to take on Stanford, Mercyhurst, and Edinboro.

Results:
125 - Mookie Golden (R-Fr.) dec. Lou Ruland (Fr.), 5-4
157 - Eric Grida (R-Fr.) major dec. Clint Stout (Jr.), 12-4
157 - Mike McGill (So.) dec. Jerad Villecco (Sr.), 4-2
133 - Jon Kohler (Fr.) dec. Ryan Brown (Jr.), 4-1
149 - Andrew Schlaffer (R-Jr.) major dec. Keith Bernard (Jr.), 14-2
165 - Jason Kiessling (Sr.) pinned Matt Rothstein (Sr.), 2nd period
174 - Mike Letts (Fr.) pinned Carlo Mercadante (R-Jr.), 2nd period
197 - Hudson Taylor (R-Fr.) major dec. Patrick Gilmore (Fr.), 13-0
HWT - Jerry Afari (Sr.) major dec. John Price (Fr.), 15-6
125 - James Knox (So.) dec. Mookie Golden (R-Fr.), 8-3
157 - Mike McGill (So.) dec. Eric Grida (R-Fr.), 3-1