College Park, Md. – No. 2 Jimmy Sheptock defeated No. 5 Max Thomusseit at 184 pounds, but the Maryland wrestling team dropped its ACC opener to No. 11 Pittsburgh, 21-12, at Comcast Pavilion Friday night.

The Terrapins (4-4, 0-1 ACC) fell behind early and couldn't find enough points to overcome the Panthers (3-0, 1-0 ACC). No. 6 Spencer Myers was another highlight for the Terps. The heavyweight found a takedown late in the second tiebreaker period to defeat No. 20 P.J. Tasser.

Pittsburgh used its strength in the lighter weights to take a quick lead. No. 10 Anthony Zanetta secured a late takedown to seal the match at 125 pounds with Billy Rappo. No. 14 Shelton Mack followed up his fellow ranked teammate with a 12-4 major decision over Tony Farace.

No. 8 Shyheim Brown was unable to halt the Panthers at 141 pounds. The sophomore suffered his first loss of the season to Edgar Bright, 5-3. Mikey Racciato continued the Pittsburgh run, notching a close 5-3 decision over Derrick Evanovich at 149 pounds.

Danny Orem got the Terps on the board at 157 pounds, shooting in and landing a takedown on Cole Sheptock with just 10 seconds remaining in the final period to take the match 3-1. Anthony Volpe then made his Terrapin debut at 165 pounds, but fell to Geno Morelli, 11-5.

At 174 pounds, No. 8 Tyler Wilps put the meet essentially out of reach, taking a tech fall over Tony Gardner to make the score 21-3.

The Terps once again found success at the heavier weights, winning each of the final three matches. Sheptock and Thomusseit battled hard for three periods, with the Northampton, Pa. native able to squeak out a 4-2 decision after a takedown with just 20 seconds left to go in the bout.

At 197, Boley notched a takedown in the first period before grinding out an eventual 3-2 victory over Nick Bonaccorsi.

To end the night, the heavyweights fought to a stalemate at the end of three periods. After an uneventful sudden victory round, Tasser was able to pick up a point in the first tiebreaker period after Myers accumulated three cautions. Down to his final 10 seconds, the senior was able to drag Tasser to the ground to score a takedown and take the match

Myers and Sheptock remain the Terps' only undefeated competitors this season. Sheptock's victory was his third over ranked opposition in his last four matches.

The Terps hit the road for their next dual meet against No. 20 Michigan on Jan. 5. Action is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in Ann Arbor.  

 

#11 Pittsburgh 21, Maryland 12

125: #10 Anthony Zanetta (PITT) decision over Billy Rappo (MD), 7-2 (3-0)
133: #14 Shelton Mack (PITT) major dec over Tony Farace (MD), 12-4 (7-0)
141 Edgar Bright (PITT) decision over Shyheim Brown (MD), 5-3  (10-0)
149: Mikey Racciato (PITT) decision over Derrick Evanovich (MD), 5-3 (13-0)
157: Danny Orem (MD) decision over Cole Sheptock (PITT), 3-1 (13-3)
165: Geno Morelli (PITT) decision over Anthony Volpe (MD), 12-5 (16-3)
174: Tyler Wilps (PITT) tech fall over Tony Gardner (MD), 18-2 (5:23), (21-3)
184: #2 Jimmy Sheptock (MD) decision over #5 Max Thomusseit (Pitt), 4-2 (21-6)
197: #13 Christian Boley (MD) decision over Nick Bonaccorsi (PITT), 3-2 (21-9)
285: #6 Spencer Myers (MD) decision over P.J. Tasser (PITT), 4-3 (TB1) (21-12)

 

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