Feb. 7, 2013
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Each week during the 2012-13 season a Maryland student-athlete, who has shown excellence on and off the playing field, will be selected as the Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week. This week's Solomon Eye Associates Terp of the Week is Shane Gentry from wrestling.
In a rematch of the 2012 125-pound ACC title bout, Gentry scored a takedown and a 2-point near fall as time expired to knock off then-eighth ranked Matt Snyder of Virginia Friday night at Comcast Pavilion.
By Taylor Smyth |
Maryland Media Relations Student Assistant
Going into Maryland's key ACC matchup with No. 11 Virginia last Friday, Shane Gentry had a score to settle.
“Matt [Snyder] and I are friends, we've known each other for a long time,” Gentry said. “But I hadn't beaten him since I got to college and I just needed to focus and get it done.”
In a rematch of the 2012 ACC final at 125 pounds, Gentry finally defeated Snyder, the then-eighth ranked 125er in the country, 4-3. While the Terrapins ultimately fell to the Cavaliers, the junior's big win earned him ACC Wrestler of the Week honors and a major confidence boost going forward.
“It was a huge win for Shane,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “We are just over 30 day away from the ACC championships and for him to send that message was big. It will build momentum for him as we head towards the end of the year.”
McCoy, who always has his wrestlers mindsets tuned toward the year end championships, clearly has Gentry peaking at the right time.
“That's what Kerry always preaches; 'We train for March.'” Gentry said. “I just need to continue to improve and get better before ACCs and NCAAs.”
It has been a steady progression of success for Gentry since he became a Terp. Third at the ACC tournament as a true freshman, Gentry broke out last season, finishing second to Snyder at ACCs, earning All-ACC honors and booking his first trip to the NCAA tournament.
This year, the Stafford, Va., native has been a steady contributor at college wrestling lowest weight class. Gentry is 15-8 this season, already an improvement over his sophomore campaign.
To become that productive, you have to be willing to work, and Gentry embraces the daily grind necessary to become a top-flight competitor.
“It's something you do every day. That's what makes wrestling unique. It's part of everything. You have to be disciplined or you won't be successful.”
His teammates clearly respect his work ethic. Gentry was humbled when his teammates elected him a team captain before the season.
“I'm very thankful my team elected me captain. It's great to be able to mentor my teammates and I just try to uphold the views of the team the best I can.”
Gentry hopes to translate his leadership skills into a future career. The junior hopes to follow in his father's footsteps and become an officer in the Marine Corps after graduation.
But that can wait as Gentry currently has his sights set on that elusive ACC title, and if he has to go through his friend to do it, he's ready.
“We're going to turn some heads [as a team]. Everybody loves to win, but we have the team to do it. There is nothing we can't overcome.”
