Terps Split Duals with Wisconsin, George Mason

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland spilt a pair of duals Sunday afternoon falling to Wisconsin 25-12 before notching a 31-9 victory over George Mason in the team's second annual Beauty and the Beast Match with Terps gymnastics. Maryland wrestling now stands at 5-12 (1-8 Big Ten) on the year.

Wisconsin

After a leadoff win for Wisconsin (3-7, 2-6 Big Ten) at 149 pounds, redshirt senior Lou Mascola (157) brought the Terps even in the match with a 10-7 decision over TJ Ruschell. The East Hanover, N.J native was aggressive out of the gate, opening up a 6-1 first period advantage on a takedown and four-point near fall. Mascola was ahead by as many as nine points in the match, but some late scoring from Ruschell cut it to three late. Mascola held off the late charge to remain the team leader in dual victories (11).

The Badgers took command of the dual from there, securing the next six bouts to take a 25-3 lead on the hosts. Maryland produced two of the most exciting wins of the afternoon at 133 and 141 pounds to end the contest, as both redshirt senior Geoffrey Alexander (144) and redshirt junior Billy Rappo (141) tallied victories.

No. 16 Alexander and Wisconsin's No. 7 Ryan Taylor provided the crowd with the match's only bout between ranked wrestlers, and it did not disappoint. The two went after it from the get go, with Alexander nearly pinning the Badger after a takedown and four-point near fall in the first period. Taylor showed his All-Americana prowess, escaping the hold to trail 6-1 after the period and eventually take Alexander to the mat late in the third. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native held his ground, getting an 8-6 decision to stay unbeaten in the Big Ten (6-0).

Rappo made his mark in the second period in his match against Luke Rowh, going up 3-0 after an escape and takedown. It wasn't until the third when he brought out the finishing move, holding Rowh to his back at 6:05 for his first career Big Ten victory. Wisconsin still took the dual 25-12 to move to 3-7 on the year and 2-6 in the Big Ten.

George Mason

After an opening round DQ in favor of the Patriots, Maryland rattled off eight consecutive victories to upend George Mason (7-12) 31-9 in the squad's second match of the day. Mascola and Alexander both won their matches to move to 2-0 on the afternoon; which included a last second third period takedown for Mascola to earn a 3-1 decision over Mason's Greg Flournoy.

The Terps had a pair of sudden victory decisions in their favor as well, courtesy of redshirt senior Josh Snook (174) and redshirt sophomore Dawson Peck (285). After going down, a reversal along with ride time tied Peck's match with Matthew Voss. Battling a knee injury, Peck secured the comeback victory with a takedown in overtime to extend the Maryland lead to 22-6.

Redshirt freshman Michael Beck (125) put the match out of reach in the 125-pound bout, pinning Bill Prochniewski at 6:47. Senior Mark Colabucci (184) and redshirt freshman Garrett Wesneski (197) helped lead the charge at the upper weights, as both wrestlers won their matches by technical fall. Freshman Brendan Burnham (165) rounded out the list of winners for the Terps, notching an 8-4 decision victory over Patrick Davis.

The Terps will wrap up their 2015-16 dual match slate on Saturday, February 20 when the team host Rider in College Park at 3:00 pm. The team will honor its five seniors in a pre-match ceremony for senior day.

Maryland 12, Wisconsin 25

149: Andrew Crone (WISC) decision over Wade Hodges (MD), 5-3 (0-3)

157: Lou Mascola (MD) decision over TJ Ruschell (WISC), 10-7 (3-3)

165: No. 3 Issac Jordan (WISC) fall over Tyler Manion (MD), 3:37 (3-9)

174: Ricky Robertson (WISC) decision over Derrick Evanovich (MD), 3-0 (3-12)

184: Ryan Christensen (WISC) decision over Jaron Smith (MD), 5-2 (3-15)

197: Eric Peissig (WISC) decision over Garrett Wesneski (MD), 5-4 (3-18)

285: Brock Horwath (WISC) major decision over Youssif Hemida (MD), 10-0 (3-22)

125: Johnny Jimenez (WISC) decision over Michael Beck (MD), 7-2 (3-25)

133: No. 16 Geoffrey Alexander (MD) decision over No. 7 Ryan Taylor (WISC), 8-6 (6-25)

141: Billy Rappo (MD) fall over Luke Rowh (WISC), 6:05 (12-25)

Maryland 31, George Mason 9