COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Four Terrapins notched wins, including redshirt senior Billy Rappo (133), as the team celebrated senior day Friday evening at the XFINITY Center Pavilion vs. Northwestern. The Wildcats finished with a 23-16 team victory to improve to 7-6 (2-5 B1G) on the year. Maryland drops to 2-13 (0-8 B1G).
After dropping a major at 125, Rappo hit the mat for his final home match at Maryland in front of a large contingent of family and supporters. The Holand, Pa. native battled his way to a 9-1 major decision win, securing four back points as time ran off to seal the bonus point win at 133. The victory was the 11th of the season for Rappo, who remained tabbed in the latest NCAA Coaches' rankings released today.
Two more wins for the Wildcats put Maryland in a 13-4 hole, but redshirt junior Justin Alexander (157) stopped the bleeding with a 7-1 decision over Ben Sullivan. Alexander went to work early with a first period takedown, then tacked on two more points in the second on an escape and stall call. Three more points from the Pittsburgh, Pa. native in the third would clinch his second Big Ten win of the season.
Josh Ugalde (174) wasted no time getting in the win column in the 174-pound match, pinning Braxton Cody in 34 seconds. It was the first Big Ten dual win of his career, and brought the match within reach for the Terps at 13-7.
Consecutive wins at 184 and 197 ultimately put the match away for Northwestern, but sophomore Youssif Hemida ended the evening on a high note with a tough 5-2 decision over Conan Jennings. Two first period takedowns were the x-factor for the Mamaroneck, N.Y. native, who has now won nine of his last 11 matches and jumps to 15-8 overall.
Rappo and redshirt senior Shyheim Brown were both honored alongside friends and family in a pre-match ceremony. Maryland will travel to University Park, Pa. on Sunday to take on #2 Penn State for the team's final Big Ten dual of the season.
NORTHWESTERN
23
16
MARYLAND
February 10, 2017 || College Park, Md. || 7:00 pm
