Maryland
Red & Black Wrestle-Offs
Red Defeats Black to Open Wrestling Season
10/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Geoffrey Alexander gave a preview for his return to varsity competition with a victory over Billy Rappo to help the Red team to a dominant 25-9 victory over the Black team in the annual Red & Black Wrestle-Offs at the XFINITY Pavilion Sunday.
In a competition that helps determine places in the Terrapins' starting lineup, the Red team stormed out to a 16-0 advantage with five straight victories. Ben Dorsay's pin of Shane Archiga was the highlight of the affair for the Black team.
“It's a learning experience for these guys to get out here and see what their next steps are going to be,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “You are out here, first time down to weight, with an official and with out of bounds. It all plays into it.”
Competition began at 165 pounds. Tyler Manion secured a takedown late on TJ Guidice in the first period and would not relinquish that lead in a 3-1 victory. Junior Josh Snook upped the Red team's lead with a dominant 9-1 major decision over redshirt freshman Arashdeep Gill.
Newcomer Chanse Menendez battled hard against senior Tony Gardner, but the 184-pound veteran secured a reversal late in the third period to seal an 8-7 decision victory. Rob Fitzgerald raised the Red team's lead to 13-0, cruising to an 11-3 win over freshman Garrett Wesneski.
Ryan Kail continued the brilliant showing from the Red team, grinding out a 4-1 victory over Sean Twigg at heavyweight. Josh Polacek defeated Jhared Simmons, 5-2, at 125 pounds to put the black team on the board.
Alexander got the red team back on track at 133 pounds. In his first match at the XFINITY Pavilion since last season's Red & Black, the nationally ranked grappler outlasted Rappo by 2-0 decision.
Highly touted freshman Alfred Bannister increased the Red team's advantage to 22-3, taking out 2013 NCAA qualifier Frank Goodwin by 3-2 decision. Dorsay then pinned Archiga with just one second remaining in the 149-pound contest to draw the Red team's advantage back to 22-9
Lou Mascola finished off proceedings with a hard fought 8-4 win over Justin Alexander.
In exhibition action, Michael Beck defeated fellow true freshman Anthony Genco at 125 pounds before Adam Whitesell pinned Chris Reilly at 133. Redshirt freshman followed with a pin of his own on Matt Pente at 141 pounds before Toby Hague decisioned Anthony Duncan, 9-3.
Maryland wrestling's Season Kickoff Banquet followed the competition. The banquet, which took place in XFINITY Center's Heritage Hall, brought together Terp student-athletes, supporters and alumni in an event to support the wrestling program.
The Terrapins start official competition with next Sunday's Terrapin Duals. Alderson-Broaddus, Davidson, Johns Hopkins and Kutztown will all be in College Park, with action slated to begin at the XFINITY Pavillion at 10 a.m.
Red 25, Black 9
165: Tyler Manion (Red) decision over TJ Guidice (Black), 2-1 (3-0)174: Josh Snook (Red) major decision over Arashdeep Gill (Black), 9-1 (7-0)
184: Tony Gardner (Red) decision over Chanse Menendez (Black), 8-7 (10-0)
197: Rob Fitzgerald (Red) decision over Garrett Wesneski (Black), 11-3 (13-0)
285: Ryan Kail (Red) decision over Sean Twigg (Black), 4-1 (16-0)
125: Josh Polacek (Black) decision over Jhared Simmons (Red), 5-2 (16-3)
133: Geoffrey Alexander (Red) decision over Billy Rappo (Black), 2-0 (19-3)
141: Alfred Bannister (Red) decision over Frank Goodwin (Black), 3-2 (22-3)
149: Ben Dorsay (Black) fall over Shane Archiga (Red), 6:59 (22-9)
157: Lou Mascola (Red) decision over Justin Alexander (Black), 8-4 (25-9)
Exhibition Bouts
125: Michael Beck (Black) dec. Anthony Genco (Red), 4-2133: Adam Whitesell (Black) fall over Chris Reilly (Red), 6:47
141: Daniel Sanchez (Red) fall over Matt Pente (Black), 6:42
149: Toby Hague (Black) dec over Anthony Duncan (Red), 9-3
