Oct. 24, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland wrestling team began the 2009-10 season Saturday afternoon at Comcast Pavilion with the annual Red & Black Wrestle-Offs exhibition, won by the red team, 25-9.

A crowd of 428 came out to see the defending Atlantic Coast Conference Champions for the first time this season and the fans were treated to several competitive matches featuring the likes of big-time returnees Alex Krom, Mike Letts, Brian Letters and Patrick Gilmore, as well as several promising newcomers to the program.

"It was a good day. Our guys have been waiting for an opportunity to compete in front of our fans," Maryland head coach Kerry McCoy said. "Competing against teammates is always a challenge, but I think they did a good job. I'm excited this part is behind us and we can now look forward to the season."

The match began with a tight contest at 125 pounds between James Knox and Pat Strizki. Tied at 2-2 after regulation and the first sudden victory period, each wrestler earned an escape in the tiebreakers sessions. Strizki held the crucial riding-time advantage at the start of the final tiebreaker, but Knox earned an escape and turned the riding time advantage in his favor to earn the victory by the slimmest of margins.

Mookie Golden earned a 2-0 decision for black at 133 pounds to knot the match at 3-3. Red and Black alternated the next two weight classes, with Alex Krom earning a 6-1 decision for black at 141 and Jon Kohler getting the three points back for red at 149, topping Chris Stinnett, 11-4.

With the score tied at 6 apiece, Red took the next three matches to pull away. Brian Letters earned a 4-2 decision against Kyle John in a very-competitive matchup at 157 pounds. Josh Asper took a 14-3 major decision against Andrik Cruz at 165 and Mike Letts posted an 18-1 technical fall against Owen Smith at 174 pounds to give Red an 18-6 lead in the match.

Corey Peltier scored three points for Black at 184 pounds, defeating Bradley Nielson, 3-0. At 197 pounds, freshman Christian Boley notched a late takedown to win a 4-3 decision against sophomore Ryan Gray.

Patrick Gilmore capped the afternoon with a 14-3 major decision against Owen Duffy at heavyweight.

There were four exhibition matches during the day, as well. Freshman Bryan Osorio defeated fellow freshman Danny O'Malley, 7-3, in a matchup of two 133-pounders. In one of the most entertaining matches of the day, freshmen 149-pounders Justin Cash and Domenic DeRobertis went back and forth at a fast pace, with Cash winning in the end, 12-7.

Freshman Jimmy Sheptock defeated Andrew Bradley, 7-3, in another exhibition and freshman Dallas Brown posted the only pin of the day in the last exhibition, doing so in 3 minutes, 58 seconds against Ty Snook.

The Terps officially start the regular season Saturday, Nov. 7 at Comcast Pavilion for a tri-meet with Drexel and York College.

RED 25, BLACK 9
125 - James Knox (Red) dec.Pat Strizki, 4-3 [tb2] (3-0)
133 - Mookie Golden (Black) dec. Joey Boone, 2-0 (3-3)
EXH - Bryan Osorio (Red) dec. Danny O'Malley, 7-3
141 - Alex Krom (Black) dec. Matt Bogusz, 6-1 (3-6)
149 - Jon Kohler (Red) dec. Chris Stinnett, 11-4 (6-6)
EXH - Justin Cash (Black) dec. Domenic DeRobertis, 12-7
157 - Brian Letters (Red) dec. Kyle John, 4-2 (9-6)
EXH - Jimmy Sheptock (Black) dec. Andrew Bradley, 7-3
165 - Josh Asper (Red) major dec. Andrik Cruz, 14-3 (13-6)
174 - Mike Letts (Red) tech. fall over Owen Smith, 18-1 [7:00] (18-6)
EXH - Dallas Brown (Black) fall over Ty Snook (3:58)
184 - Corey Peltier (Black) dec. Bradley Nielson, 3-0 (18-9)
197 - Christian Boley (Red) dec. Ryan Gray, 4-3 (21-9)
HWT - Patrick Gilmore (Red) major dec. Owen Duffy, 14-3 (25-9)

- TERPS -