COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Over the next three days, umterps.com will preview the 2015 wrestling season with the help of head coach Kerry McCoy. Part one breaks down the 125, 133 and 141 pounds weight classes.
125 Pounds
Projected Starter: Michael Beck
The Skinny: Maryland will replace departed starter Josh Polacek, who won six times and participated in all but one dual contest against Penn State. Beck was Polacek's replacement against the Nittany Lions and will most likely step in to the starting lineup this season. Beck won five times in open competition after a decorated high school career that saw him win a Maryland state title at River Hill.
A trio of true freshmen will provide depth behind Beck. New York Greco Roman champion Joe Barber, Maryland high school state champ Breandan Coughlin and Massachusetts state champion Peter Robinson all bring a youthful intensity to the room. Veteran Jhared Simmons will also serve as a key cog in the Terps' 125-pound ranks.
McCoy's Take: “Michael Beck is the front runner right now as the guy that got a lot of time last season, but those other guys are pushing him. Mike put some size on and he put some strength on. I'm excited to see him as a more legit 125 pounder.”
133 Pounds
Projected Starter: Geoffrey Alexander
The Skinny: Maryland's most decorated returner, Alexander will look to qualify for his fourth NCAA Championships in his final season in College Park. The Pittsburgh native has totaled 86 wins in his career and was nationally ranked throughout the season in a stacked Big Ten 133-pound division.
Redshirt sophomore Tyler Goodwin give the Terps elite depth behind Alexander. Goodwin had a sensational true freshman season in which he qualified for the NCAA Championships during Alexander's redshirt campaign. Goodwin served his redshirt season last year and will look to build on his unique style this season.
True freshman Nick Casella will learn behind Alexander and Goodwin and is expected to be a standout in the future. Casella was a four-time state placer in New York and won a state championships in his final season.
McCoy's Take: ”Geoff kind of sets the standard with his work and his accomplishments. He's put himself in a position to do some great things this year. Tyler is hungry and he's been working hard. Those two guys will push each other and make our team better.”
141 Pounds
Projected Starter: Alfred Bannister
The Skinny: Bannister put together one of the finest redshirt seasons in Maryland history in 2015, notching 37 wins and leading the team with 10 wins by fall. The La Plata, Md., native won four open championships and followed that up with a summer that saw him place fourth in the UWW World Team Trials in the 66kg freestyle division. Bannister was a four-time Maryland state champion in high school, a multi-time All-American and finished his career as the winningest prep wrestler in Maryland history.
Veteran Billy Rappo will provide competition for Bannister. Rappo started his career at 125 pounds but has filled out into a legitimate 141-pound threat. Rappo is noted as possessing one of the highest wrestling IQs on the team and works a different style than most of the squad.
Touted freshman Ryan Diehl will also have an impact on the 141-pound class. Diehl won two Pennsylvania state titles before heading to Liberty University where he won a pair of NCWA National Championships. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NWCA Tournament both years.
McCoy will also have Brandon Walker, RJ De George and Adam Whitesell gives the Terps quality depth in the room.
McCoy's Take – “Baby J has really stepped up and become a vocal leader for the program. He's worked hard and put himself in the position to be competitive on the national stage. He's going to get pushed by Billy Rappo. Billy is one of the most talented guys on our team. Those two guys are going to be battling it out. Ryan Diehl won't be able to wrestle until second semester but he'll challenge those guys.”
-Terps-
