Black Tops Red, 17-12, in Wrestle-Offs

Oct. 23, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland wrestling team kicked off its 2010-11 season Saturday afternoon at Comcast Pavilion with the annual Red & Black Wrestle-Offs, won by the Black team, 17-12.

A crowd of 385 was in attendance to see this year's squad for the first time this season and fans were not disappointed with a number of entertaining matches from returnees Josh Asper, Kyle John and Mike Letts, along with several talented underclassmen.

"It was a good day," said head coach Kerry McCoy. "I'm excited to finally get our guys out to a live event with referees and a crowd. This signifies that we've officially started."

The annual exhibition began with a close 125 pound contest between Shane Gentry and Pat Strizki. Tied at 6-6 in the third period, Gentry, a freshman out of Stafford, Va., used a two-point reversal to clinch the victory for the Red team.

"With Shane Gentry, we knew we got a stud when we got him," said McCoy. "He came in as a true freshman and battled a senior. That is always impressive when you get a freshman to show up [like he did]."

Joey Boone earned a tight 3-2 decision over Lou Ruland thanks to a third-period escape to tie the score at 3-3. Jon Kohler helped the Red team regain the lead with a 6-1 decision over Mark Hartenstine. The Black team then won two straight, as Justin Cash got a 3-2 decision over Eric Beverly and Kyle John took a 10-0 major decision over Danny Orem for a 10-6 lead.

In the 165 pound bout, Josh Asper successfully defended a last-ditch takedown attempt by Jimmy Sheptock to win, 2-1, and pull the Red team within one at 10-9. But Mike Letts used a 10-0 major decision over Alex Pagnotta to increase the Black team's lead to 14-9. At 184 pounds, Corey Peltier topped Bradley Nielson, 2-0.

With the Red team within two points at 14-12, heavyweight Spencer Meyers secured a victory for the black team by handling Ryan Gray, 5-0 to clinch the match.

On the day, there were also five exhibition matches, two of which went to sudden victory. Kenneth Collado topped Jenkins Monzey in a sudden victory overtime period, 7-3. Tommy Sitar used a takedown in overtime to top Owen Duffy, 3-1.

The Terps will open the regular season Saturday, Nov. 6 at Comcast Pavilion with the Terrapin Duals, featuring Johns Hopkins, West Virginia, Liberty and McDaniel.

"We're back here in two weeks," said McCoy, who enters his third season as Maryland's head coach. "Our [upcoming] dual meet is an opportunity to see if we can kickoff our season the right way."

BLACK 17, RED 12
125-Shane Gentry (Red) dec. Pat Strizki, 8-6 (0-3)
EXH- Kenneth Collado (Red) dec. Jenkins Manzey, 7-3 SV
133- Joey Boone (Black) dec. Lou Ruland, 3-2 (3-3)
EXH- Frank Goodwin (Red) dec. Will Sharbaugh, 6-4
141-Jon Kohler (Red) dec. Mark Hartenstine, 6-1 (3-6)
EXH- Mason Goretsas (Black) dec. Danny O'Malley, 4-2 SV
149- Justin Cash (Black) dec. Eric Beverly, 3-2 (6-6)
157- Kyle John (Black) major dec. Danny Orem, 10-0 (10-6)
165- Josh Asper (Red) dec. Jimmy Sheptock, 2-1 (10-9)
174-Mike Letts (black) major dec. Alex Pagnotta, 10-0 (14-9)
184-Corey Peltier (Red) dec. Bradley Nielson, 2-0 (14-12)
EXH-Tommy Sitar (Black) dec. Owen Duffy, 3-1 SV
EXH Christian Boley (Black) dec. Rob Fitzgerald, 3-2
HWT- Spencer Myers (Black) dec. Ryan Gray, 5-0 (17-12)