Maryland wrestling places seven in Tiger Style Invite

The Tiger Style Invite was the first real test for Maryland wrestling. The Terps faced lots of nationally ranked competitors that challenged them in ways they hadn’t previously experienced. The Terps exceeded all expectations, placing 7 out of 11 wrestlers and finishing with four top-three finishes. 

At 125, redshirt junior Zach Spence represented the Terps, filling in for redshirt freshman Braxton Brown. Spence drew a tough first round matchup against Missouri redshirt sophomore Noah Surtin, ranked No. 15 by Flowrestling. Surtin handled Spence, getting a quick win by fall. Spence fared no better in his second and final match of the day, losing a 13-1 major decision against Missouri freshman Peyton Moore to finish the day with an 0-2 record. 

Sophomore Conner Quinn replaced redshirt freshman Jackson Cockrell at 133. Quinn lost a close 1-0 decision against Little Rock freshman Cael Keck, and then lost his next two bouts by decisions against Illinois freshman Kole Brower and Drexel junior Kyle Waterman. Quinn finished 8th and netted the Terps three team points. 

Kal Miller continued to impress for the Terps at 141. The freshman won his semifinal matchup against Missouri redshirt freshman Korbin Shepherd with a 4-0 decision, sending him into the finals against Little Rock freshman Brennan Van Hoeke. Van Hoeke had a 1-0 lead late in the match from an escape point, but Miller recorded a takedown with 10 seconds left to get the decision win and take the 141-pound title. Miller remained undefeated, and everything he’s shown so far indicates a special talent for the Terps at 141 this season. 

The second half of Miller Time, redshirt freshman Ethen Miller, looked to stay rolling in a tough pool of competitors at 149. Miller won his first two matches against Little Rock redshirt freshman Jakob Adams and Illinois redshirt freshman Jake Harrier, sending him on a collision course with No. 8 Brock Mauller from Missouri in the semifinals. Miller put up a good fight, but ultimately Missouri’s redshirt junior came away with the 7-4 decision win. Miller bounced back against Little Rock senior Chase Tebbets, getting the decision win to send him to the consolation finals. Miller broke the 2-2 tie after the second period with an escape to get the 3-2 decision win and take home 3rd place. 

Redshirt junior Michael North and redshirt freshman Kevin Schork represented the Terps at 157. North took a major decision over Illinois sophomore Anthony Federico in the quarterfinals, and then won a decision against Cal Poly redshirt freshman Luka Wick in the semifinals. In the finals, North lost to Missouri senior Jarrett Jacques in a 6-2 decision to finish 2nd with an overall strong performance on the day. Schork lost two decisions against Federico and Little Rock redshirt sophomore Austin Keal. 

Redshirt freshman John Martin Best and redshirt junior Lucas Cordio wrestled for Maryland at 165. Best lost to Drexel graduate student Evan Barczak in the quarterfinals, and then was defeated by Cordio. Cordio found more success on the day, falling to Cal Poly redshirt sophomore Legend Lamer in the first round, but then bounced back to make his way all the way up to the consolation semifinals with a few victories. In the semifinals, he was defeated by Drexel junior Cody Walsh, which put him in the 5th place match. Cordio received a technical fall win over Little Rock freshman Chance Davis to place 5th for the Terps. 

At 184, sophomore Chase Mielnik filled in for injured redshirt junior Kevin Makosy. Mielnik lost his first match against Drexel graduate student Brian Bonino, but then won his next bout against Little Rock senior William Edgar. Mielnik fell to Missouri freshman Clayton Whiting in the consolation semifinals, putting him in a rematch with Bonino for 5th place, which he lost in extra time. 

Redshirt freshman Jaxon Smith attempted to continue his dominance at 197 against his toughest group of opponents yet. Smith got a quick fall against Little Rock redshirt freshman Matthew Weinert in the quarterfinals, which put him against No. 9 Zach Braunagel from Illinois. Smith pulled off the upset with a pin in the second round, catapulting him to the finals where he took on a two-time All American in Cal Poly redshirt junior Bernie Traux. Smith gained a lead in the third but Traux recorded two takedowns at the end to take a 6-4 decision.

Redshirt freshman Sam O’Brian wrestled at heavyweight for Maryland instead of graduate student Jaron Smith. O’Brian finished the day 0-2, losing two decisions against Cal Poly freshman Nate Glass and Illinois redshirt senior Matt Wroblewski. 

The Terps will return to the mat on Friday to take on No. 18 Pittsburgh.