Wrestling Hosts Virginia, George Mason This Weekend
2/15/2007 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 15, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland wrestling team will compete in its final two home matches of the 2007 season when it hosts a pair duals this weekend. The Terrapins will take on Virginia on Friday at 7:00 p.m. on Senior Night and will face George Mason on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. on Alumni Day. Both matches will be held in Comcast Pavilion.
Maryland will honor its five seniors on Friday night during their last weekend in Comcast. Captain Jerry Afari, Jason Kiessling, Mike Maceroli, Jeff Oldham, and Jerad Villecco will all be taking part in their final home matches this weekend.
Last week at American, Maryland came away with a close 22-15 win. Junior Charlie Pinto and Afari led the way for the Terps with a fall and a technical fall, respectively. It was Maryland's 15th win this season, the most since 1990. It is just the third time in program history that the Terps have won 15 or more matches. The last time it happened was in 1990 when Maryland set the school record with 17 wins.
Maryland's historic season is being recognized nationally as it received votes in the latest USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll.
Virginia, who shared last season's ACC dual meet championship with Maryland, is 7-8 and 2-2 in the conference. The Cavaliers' Rocco Caponi and Eric Albright lead the team in wins with 29 and 27, respectively. Kellon Balum, Ross Gitomer, and Mike Grogan all have 19 wins. In its most recent ACC action last weekend, UVA lost to NC State, 25-13, before beating Duke, 26-12.
George Mason enters the weekend at 9-8 and is 5-4 in the Colonial Athletic Assocation. Harry Zander leads the Patriots with a 23-12 record and is the only wrestler with over 20 victories this season. Ryan Kittrick is on the cusp of 20 wins as he is 19-13. GMU has lost three of its last four duals dating back to January 28.
Probable Starters - Maryland:
125 - James Knox
133 - Jon Kohler or Jeff Oldham
141 - No. 14 Alex Krom or Charlie Pinto
149 - Andrew Schlaffer
157 - Mike McGill
165 - No. 13 Jason Kiessling
174 - No. 13 Mike Letts
184 - Josh Haines
197 - No. 15 Hudson Taylor
HWT - Jerry Afari
Virginia:
125 - Ross Gitomer
133 - Eric Albright
141 - Kellon Balum
149 - Drew DiPasquale
157 - Mike Sewell or Beau Fisher
165 - Damian Johnson
174 - Mike Grogan
184 - Rocco Caponi or Calvin Cardillo
197 - Kyle Narkiewicz
HWT - Scott Smith
George Mason:
125 - Joe Coughlin
133 - Will Powers or Mostafa Ibrahim
141 - David Emison
149 - Chris Cartella
157 - Robert Henry
165 - Tyler Tisdell
174 - Randy Oates
184 - Matt Moyer or Jim Martin
197 - Harry Zander
HWT - Ryan Kittrick
