COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Part two of the Maryland wrestling season preview breaks down the 149, 157, 165 and 174 pound weight classes. 

149 Pounds

Projected Starter: Shane Arechiga/Wade Hodges

The Skinny: The Terps feature one veteran and variety of youth in the race to replace starting lineup stalwart Ben Dorsay. Fifth-year senior Shane Arechiga has 50 career wins and provided the Terps valuable time in the starting lineup at different points of his career. The Silver Spring native will be pushed by three freshman that excite McCoy; Wade Hodges, Matt Pente and Danny Boychuck.

Hodges accumulated 177 wins in high school in the ultra-competitive Ohio win wrestling scene. He placed in the Ohio four times as a prep and defeated Pente in a close contest at the Red & Black Wrestle-Offs. Pente won ten times as a 141 and 149 pounder last year after a high school career in Maryland that saw him win a Maryland state title and 179 total matches.

Boychuck brings a winning pedigree from a Wyoming Seminary program that is one of the best in the country. The Haddonfield, N.J., native earned All-American status at the National Preps and finished second at the 2015 Pan-Am Greco-Roman Championships.

McCoy's Take: “We've got a fifth year guy in Shane and he's had a lot of success. Wade is working hard and he's looked really good in the room. He's hungry to compete in his first season in the Big Ten. Matt Pente has been a staple in the room pushing himself and Danny Boychuck is also there. I'm excited to see these guys scrap it out.”

157 Pounds

Projected Starter: Lou Mascola

The Skinny: Mascola enters the season as the unquestioned starter after he burst on the scene in 2015, qualifying for the NCAA Championships and exciting Terrapin fans with his crowd pleasing style. Mascola placed at the Big Ten Tournament and the Midlands Championships while also earning the award for the fastest fall of the tournament at the latter event. At NCAA's, the New Jersey native won twice including an upset of fifth-seeded Cody Pack. Mascola will also serve as one of Maryland's captains this season.

The depth at 157 pounds will come from underclassmen. New York state champ Jakob Restrepo won 171 times in high school and defeated redshirt freshman Patrick Gerish at the Red & Black Wrestle-Offs. Freshman Garrett Griffith will also be a factor in the room at 157.

McCoy's Take: “Lou has done a great job of stepping up into his leadership role. That's something that took him out of his comfort zone, but that's a big step in the right direction for Lou to get that experience. He's one of the most exciting guys on our team and he lets it all fly. You never know what you're going to get.”

165 Pounds

Projected Starter: Tyler Manion

The Skinny: Manion has featured in the Terrapin starting lineup for multiple seasons and is a seasoned competitor against the top competition in the Big Ten. The Pennsylvania native is coming off a season shortened by injury.

The Terps will have a multitude of options behind Manion. Freshman Josh Ugalde is one of the Terps' top newcomers after finishing runner up at the New Jersey state championships the last two seasons and was a three-time state placer. Freshman Brendan Burnham was a state placer in Pennsylvania while Derrick Evanovich has been a consistent performer during his time in College Park.

McCoy's Take: “Tyler had a really good summer training and put some good size on. He's healthy and ready to go. Josh had a great high school career and we have to see where he fits in. Derrick saw some time last year. He's grown a couple weight classes and he's really settled at 165. We've got some exciting competition also with Brendan and Sam.”

174 Pounds

Projected Starter: Josh Snook.

The Skinny: Snook is another reliable veteran at the backend of the Terrapin lineup. He won 13 times last season and placed fourth at the prestigious Midlands Championships. Heralded freshman David-Brian Whisler could also factor in at 174 after winning a state title in Ohio last year.

Freshman Sam Rowell has the chance to compete at both 165 or 174 pounds after a high school career that saw him win a Maryland state title in 2015 after placing three times prior. Brad Miccio is a transfer from Bloomsburg who brings talent combined with a hard working mentality to the room.

McCoy's Take: “Josh has been in the program for a long time and has had some decent matches. He's shown he can compete at a high level. The number one thing with Josh is his attitude is in the right place. He wants to be good, he wants to get better and he wants to be a factor for this team. We're excited for him.”

-Terps-