Dec. 10, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
A week after two Terps won individual titles and eight others placed in the top-7 at the Nittany Lion Open, the University of Maryland wrestling team returns to dual-meet competition with a tough matchup against No. 18 Hofstra Saturday at 2 p.m.
With two wrestlers ranked in Intermat's top-10, the Terps will face a Hofstra team which has six starters ranked in the top-25 and two in the top-5.
"I am very excited to face Hofstra," said head coach Kerry McCoy. "They are very tough and will be a great opportunity for us to once again see how we do against a top team. The matches at 165 and 174 are getting top billing, but every match will be exciting. We will put 10 guys out there that will be looking to get their hands raised."
At 165 pounds, arguably the most anticipated matchup of the meet, third-ranked Maryland sophomore Josh Asper will take on Hofstra's fifth-ranked P.J. Gillespie. An undefeated 15-0 on the season, Asper most recently won the individual title at the Nittany Lion Open after a first-period pin of Penn State's Dirk Cowburn. On the season, Asper has three pinfalls and is 3-0 against top-20 opponents. A junior, Gillespie is 8-1 on the season with his only loss coming via a close, 2-0 decision against Wisconsin's Andrew Howe, the top-ranked wrestler at the weight class.
The 174 pound matchup pits No. 8 Mike Letts against No. 16 Ryan Patrovich. Already a two-time Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week, Letts is 15-1 on the season and also won the individual title at the Nittany Lion Open thanks to a 9-4 decision over No. 14 Ed Ruth of Penn State in the title match. Patrovich, a senior, is 6-3 on the season with his only losses coming against No. 15 Luke Manuel, No. 13 Jake Swartz and No. 6 Colby Covington.
The Terps are 5-2 on the season while Hofstra is 2-2-1, most recently topping Lindewood University, 35-12.
Maryland vs. No. 18 Hofstra Probable Matchups (Intermat Rankings)
125- Shane Gentry (10-6) or Pat Strizki (2-0) vs. No. 17 Steve Bonnano (6-5)
133- Joey Boone (2-6) or Lou Ruland (9-5) vs. No. 5 Lou Ruggirello (9-2)
141- Jon Kohler (6-3) vs. No. 18 Vince Varela (7-5)
149- Ben Dorsay (21-7) vs. No. 19 Justin Accordino (7-5)
157- Kyle John (15-4) vs. Tyler Banks (8-4) or Zach Clemente (7-7)
165- No. 3 Josh Asper (15-0) vs. No. 5 P.J. Gillespie (8-1)
174- No. 9 Mike Letts (15-1) vs. No. 16 Ryan Patrovich (6-3)
184- Corey Peltier (9-3) vs. Ben Clymer (1-3)
197- Christian Boley (9-8) vs. Matt Loew (3-10)
285- Spencer Myers (6-4) vs. Paul Snyder (6-6)
-ES-
