Myers Returns to Lead Terps Past Harvard, 21-18

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior Spencer Myers was victorious in his return to the mat as the Maryland wrestling team defeated Harvard, 21-18, in front of 2,091 spectaculars at the inaugural Beauty and the Beast event at the XFINITY Center Friday night.

Completing simultaneously with the Maryland gymnastics team, the Terps (5-7, 0-3 Big Ten) jumped out to an 18-6 lead at intermission against the Crimson (0-1). The dual ended up tied going into the heavyweight bout when Myers, an All-American, defeated David Ng by decision to give the Terps the victory.

“We got some hard fought wins tonight,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “Spencer coming off football, we knew conditioning was going to be a factor and he wrestled a tough kid. He got it done. It was a great overall team performance and I'm excited to get the win.”

After Harvard forfeited the opening match at 125 pounds, redshirt junior Geoffrey Alexander put forth a dominant performance at 133, defeating Ryan Osleeb, 15-0. A five-point move in the first period put the Pittsburgh native in control.

In a matchup of ranked foes at 141 pounds, Todd Preston put Harvard on the board with a 4-0 win over sophomore Shyheim Brown. RJ De George got the Terps back on track at 149. Wrestling his first career dual match, the redshirt sophomore edged Colby Knight, 3-1.

After an impressive showing at the Midlands Championships, redshirt junior Lou Macola continued his roll with a 17-3 win over Tyler Tarsi. At 165 pounds, Tyler Grimaldi started the Crimson comeback with a 10-4 decision win against sophomore Tyler Manion.

Junior Josh Snook was unable to stop the Harvard run, falling to Josef Johnson in a match decided by riding time. Michael Mocco then pinned junior Sean O'Malley at 4:16 to make the score 18-15.

James Fox tied the match for Harvard with a 4-0 win over Rob Fitzgerald to set up the decider at heavyweight. After notching an escape to begin the second period, Myers was able to ride out Ng in the third to seal the dual for the Terps.

Maryland returns to action this Sunday at the XFINITY Center. The Terps will take on Navy (3 p.m.) and Lehigh (5 p.m).

Maryland 21, Harvard 18
125: Josh Polacek (MD) wins by forfeit (6-0)
133: No. 14 Geoffrey Alexander (MD) technical fall over Ryan Osleeb (H), 15-0 (11-0)
141: No. 15 Todd Preston (H) decision over No. 16 Shyheim Brown (MD), 4-0 (11-3)
149: RJ De George (MD) decision over Colby Knight (H), 3-1 (14-3)
157: Lou Mascola (MD) major decision over Tyler Tarsi (H), 17-3 (18-3)
165: Tyler Grimaldi (H) decision over Tyler Manion (MD), 10-4 (18-6)
174: Josef Johnson (H) decision over Josh Snook (MD), 4-3 (18-9)
184: Michael Mocco (H) fall over Sean O'Malley (MD), 4:16 (18-15)
197: No. 8 James Fox (H) decision over Rob Fitzgerald (MD), 4-0 (18-18)
285: Spencer Myers (MD) decision over David Ng (H), 2-0 (21-18)