Feb. 17, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -The 26th-ranked University of Maryland wrestling team will close out the 2010-11 regular season strong this weekend with a trio of dual meets beginning on Saturday at Duke and NC State at 1 and 5 p.m., respectively, before returning to College Park to face George Mason on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
Coming off a 19-17 upset over No. 11 American on Feb. 13, the Terrapins (13-4, 2-1) will look to finish conference play on a winning note while maintaining a high seed in the upcoming ACC Championship on Mar. 5.
“This weekend is very important for us,” said head coach Kerry McCoy. “There are some key individual matchups that will have ACC Championship-seeding implications, but more importantly it's important for us to finish the dual-meet season strong and continue to build momentum for the postseason.”
The Blue Devils (2-5-1, 0-4 ACC) are led by redshirt freshman Bret Klopp, whose 27-9 record is tops on the team. Despite a losing record, Duke heads into its dual against Maryland with momentum as the Blue Devils easily defeated Campbell 39-18 earlier this week.
Currently ranked No. 24 by Intermat, the Wolfpack (9-9, 1-3 ACC) boast the No. 1 wrestler at 149 pounds in redshirt senior Darrion Caldwell. On the season, Caldwell is an undefeated 11-0 and holds eight wins by pin-fall.
Following Maryland's trip through Tobacco Road, the team will return to College Park on Sunday to face George Mason and honor its senior class.
“Sunday will be a very emotional day,” said McCoy. “We will see some of the program's best wrestlers compete in the Comcast Center for the last time. I am very proud of what this class has accomplished in its time here and I am very fortunate to have been a part of their careers.”
The Patriots of George Mason are currently 0-19 on the season, though they only lost by two points in a road loss to Liberty on Feb. 10.
*Parking Advisory for 2/20/11*
Due to the men's basketball game against North Carolina State at 5:30 p.m., all wrestling fans seeking parking on Sunday should park in Lot 4b behind the Comcast Center.
Maryland Probable Starters
125- Shane Gentry (13-12) or Pat Strizki (4-6)
133- Lou Ruland (16-9)
141- No. 17 Jon Kohler (18-6)
149- Ben Dorsay (23-15) or Dex Lederer (4-3)
157- No. 14 Kyle John (25-8)
165- No. 3 Josh Asper (26-2)
174- No. 19 Mike Letts (23-6)
184- Corey Peltier (17-8) or Bradley Nielson (10-9)
197- Christian Boley (16-11) or Dallas Brown (6-8)
HWT- Spencer Myers (21-10)
Duke Probable Starters
125- Open
133- Open
141- Mike Bell (17-15)
149- A.J. Guardado (10-11)
157- Ryan Harding (13-16)
165- Willy Mello (8-14)
174- Brett Klopp (27-9)
184- Diego Bencomo (24-12)
197- Brian Self (17-2) or Open
HWT- Andrew Fulk (7-16)
No. 24 NC State Probable Starters
125- Pedram Rahmatabadi (12-13)
133- Dale Shull (7-7)
141- Darrius Little (25-8)
149- Darrion Caldwell (11-0)
157- Colton Palmer (26-10)
165- Nijel Jones (3-7)
174- Quinton Godley (18-13)
184- Pat Carey (0-4)
197- KaRonne Jones (10-21)
HWT- Eloheim Palma (12-10)
George Mason Probable Starters
125- Open
133- John Delgado
141- Denny Herndon
149- Brandon Bucher
157- Jaaziah Bethea
165- Aaron Keeton or Jimmy Kaden
174- Greg Scott
184- Mendbagana Tovujav
197- Jimmy Webb
HWT- Hunter Manspile
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