Our second look at the 2013-2014 Maryland wrestling team brings us to the middle weight classes, where many Terps have opportunities to battle for roles in Maryland's starting lineup.
149
At 149 pounds, last year's starter, Lou Mascola, will battle Frank Goodwin, who is moving up in weight, for the starting nod. Mascola went 12-13 last season, and finished fourth at the ACC Championships.
“Lou was are starter last year and there's a possibility he could do some really good things at the weight class,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “Those guys battling will make him better.
Goodwin moves up to 149 after a successful stint as a two-year starter at 141 pounds. The senior posted a 7-11 record and was an NCAA qualifier after finishing fourth at ACC Championships last year.
“The biggest thing [for Frank] is getting used to the new weight,” McCoy said. “You're not cutting weight, so you can get better more, but you're wrestling bigger guys. Frank's been working hard and we have a lot of good guys for him to work out with, so it's been a good adjustment for him.”
Whether it is Mascola or Goodwin, McCoy is confident is whomever he trots out at 149 pounds.
“It's going to be interesting between those two,” McCoy said. “But I know whoever gets the starting job is going to come in and be able to do some good things.”
157
Ben Dorsay, who served a redshirt year last season, is expected to be the Terps' main man at 157 pounds. A two-year starter at 149 before moving up in weight last season, Dorsay went 26-11 in open competition and led the Terps with six tech falls.
“We have high expectations for Ben,” McCoy said. “He had some good matches with some good competition last year and we expect him to do really well this year. He's been close a lot of times and just needs to get better at finishing off matches.”
Senior Danny Orem and sophomore Brady Massaro will also be in the mix for the starting job. Both saw action in duals last season.
165
The field is jumbled at 165 pounds as a number Terps will vie for the starting spot. Sophomore Josh Snook, last year's starter at the weight class, will be challenged to retain his position.
“That's such an interesting one,” McCoy said. “There are a lot of guys there who can do some good things for us. Whoever wins that one will be ready to contribute right away.”
Rutgers transfer Anthony Volpe will provide the first threat to Snook. An experienced competitor, Volpe finished 7-8 for the Scarlett Knights last season and competed at the National Collegiate Open.
Tyler Manion and TJ Guidice will also battle for time at 165. Manion went 5-6 in open competition in his freshman season after a very successful high school career. Guidice was in and out of the lineup at 157 last year and decided to move up in weight this season.
174
The situation at 174 pounds sees two Terps cutting weight to try and gain a starting job. Senior Ty Snook will drop down after notching a 10-11 record at 197 pounds last season. Snook served as the starter at 184 pounds his sophomore season and went 7-7 in duals.
Senior Tony Gardner has wrestled mainly at 184 since transferring from UNC Greensboro after his freshman season. Gardner went 18-7 his sophomore campaign before injuries marred his junior year. Gardner went 9-4 in limited action last season.
“Both guys are committed to changing their lifestyle to get down to the weight class,” McCoy said. “I've got two guys with a lot of experience and they're going to battle. Ty may be the favorite based on experience, but once those guys make weight and start to scrap it out, none of that matters.”
To learn more about the Maryland wrestling team, follow the squad on Twitter and Facebook.
