Nov. 26, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After taking a three-week break since its last duals meet, the University of Maryland wrestling team travels to Troy, N.Y., Saturday for three challenging matches in the Journeymen/Asics Northeast Duals.
Ranked No. 32 in Intermat's latest team rankings, the Terps (3-1) will go up against three other top-50 squads, as they'll square off against No. 34 Penn, No. 41 Northern Iowa and No. 13 Missouri. Between Maryland's three opponents are eight wrestlers ranked in the Intermat Top 20.
"The competition will be very tough so we will have to be ready for some battles," said head coach Kerry McCoy. "We will have a chance to face a lot of ranked individuals which will give us a better idea of where our guys stand."
Competing in its first duals meet of the season, Penn most recently won the Keystone Classic, where it had five No. 1 seeds in the 10 weight classes. Sophomore Micah Burak was named the Classic's Outstanding Wrestler for his championship at 197 pounds.
Northern Iowa (3-1) is coming off a 19-15 duals victory over Old Dominion on Nov. 20. The Panthers are led by No. 8 Jarion Beets at 174 pounds. Beets and Maryland's Mike Letts, ranked No. 12, will make for one of the day's marquee match-ups.
With five wrestlers ranked within the top-20, including No. 2 Dom Bradley, Missouri (2-2) will likely present the Terps with one of their toughest challenges. At the Central Missouri St. Open on Nov. 13, the Tigers took all 10 titles and 21 Mizzou wrestlers medaled.
The Terps are led by three wrestlers ranked in the top-20 of their respective weight classes. Fourth-ranked Josh Asper (165 pounds) most recently defeated No. 6 Shane Onfuer of Wyoming in an exhibition match at the NWCA All-Star Classic. Mike Letts (174) is ranked No. 12 and is an undefeated 4-0 in dual meets this season. Entering this week ranked No. 18, Kyle John (157 pounds) rounds out the Terrapins' trio of top-20 wrestlers. In duals, John is 4-0 with his last win coming via a first-period technical fall over McDaniel's Torin Lehman.
The meet will begin at 11:15 a.m. when Maryland takes on Penn at Hudson Valley Community College. The Terps face Northern Iowa at 3 p.m. and Missouri at 4:45 p.m.
No. 32 Maryland Expected Wrestlers
125- Shane Gentry or Pat Strizki
133- Joey Boone or Lou Ruland
141- Jon Kohler
149- Ben Dorsay or Dex Lederer
157- No. 18 Kyle John
165- No. 4 Josh Asper or Jimmy Sheptock
174- No. 11 Mike Letts
184- Corey Peltier or Bradley Nielson
197- Christian Boley or Dallas Brown
HWT- Spencer Myers or Ryan Gray
-ES-
