COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Head coach Kerry McCoy of the Maryland men's wrestling team announced this week the commitments of three future Terrapin wrestlers who signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Maryland next fall.
“We're excited to bring these three young men into our program next season,” said McCoy. “We are constantly working to make our team stronger and more competitive, and this group is just another piece of the puzzle. I'm looking forward to getting these guys on campus and into our system.”
The Terps will also have several other newcomers set to join the program for the 2016-17. The current Maryland squad will look to build off the momentum of its first Big Ten dual victory when the team travels to face Indiana (Jan. 15) and Purdue (Jan. 17) this weekend.
BRANDON CRAY
Hamilton Township, N.J. • 125 Pounds • Steinert HS
Before Maryland: 2015 Times of Trenton Wrestler of the Year...2015 Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Wrestler of the Year...2x NJ State place winner (1st, 4th)...won NJ state title at 113 pounds in 2015...currently ranked 13th at 120 pounds and the No. 85 overall prospect in the class of '16 according to Intermat Wrestling...won the first state title in Steinert wrestling history and only the third ever for Mercer County...Super 32 place winner... two-time Region 7 and District 25 champion...94-10 overall record before starting senior campaign...NJ.com 2015-16 lightweight to watch.
McCoy on Cray: Brandon is a great kid and will be really successful in our program. I am excited for him to finish his HS Career strong and continue that momentum here. He will have an immediate impact on our program.
NIKO CAPPELLO
Cranford, N.J. • 184 Pounds • Cranford HS
Before Maryland: NJ state place winner (7th)...three-time NHSCA All-American (4th, 3rd, 6th)...3x District 11 Champion...2015 Region 3 Champion...3x All-Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference)...92-24 overall record before starting senior campaign...also played football finishing with 263 career tackles and 12.5 sacks...football team won 2015 state title.
McCoy on Cappello: Niko has become one of the best wrestlers in NJ. You do not hear much about him but when you look at his resume, he has been very successful. It's more impressive because he is a multisport athlete. He will add much needed depth to our upper weights and I expect him to do very well.
NICK MCSHEA
Highland Mills, NY • 197 Pounds • Monroe-Woodbury HS
Before Maryland: 2015 National HS Coaches Association All-American (7th)…NY State place winner (2nd)...2015 Second Team All-State...2015 First Team All-Area...2015 First Team All-Country...2015 First Team All-OCIAA County...40-1 in 2014-15 with 22 pins...120-20 overall before starting senior campaign.
Coach McCoy on McShea: Nick had a great junior year and is on pace to have a better senior year. He is very solid in every position and he will be a great addition to our program. The success he's had in HS will help him to be ready to compete at a very high level in college.
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