Photo courtesy of Ian Cox/Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins (3-0, 0-0 Big 10) swept American University in South Carroll High School, scoring 37 points to American’s -1. Both teams got points docked after a scrap following the 157-pound bout, resulting in negative points for American.
Ethen Miller’s bout with Jack Nies ended with hard feelings. After Miller secured the 9-4 victory, Nies appeared to push Miller to the ground just after the final buzzer, to which Miller responded by planting his heel into Nies from the floor.
The wrestlers had to be separated by coaches and officials, and as the officials were docking points, Alex Clemsen and American University skipper Jason Borrelli exchanged heated words about what had happened.
After the meet, Miller admitted that the responsibility for the scuffle fell on him.
“I started it, and next time that won’t happen,” Miller said. “It’s kind of embarrassing. I should have just got up and shook his hand.”
Clemsen admitted that he missed part of the incident, having turned around to get his next wrestler after Miller went to the ground.
“I only saw [coach Borrelli’s] kid do his thing,” Clemsen said. “[Borrelli] will handle his guy, I’ll handle mine. I’d like to see Ethen Miller just stay calm, cool and collected.”
Dario Lemus got his first start of the 2024-25 season, and the wrestler coach Clemsen lauded as a freshman picked up where he left off from last season with a 13-7 victory over American senior Jack Maida. Maida flirted with a comeback in the third period, which he started down 12-3, but the lead Lemus had was too much to overcome.
“We call him the Mexican Wolverine,” Clemsen said. “He’s a stud.”
The Terps strung together two consecutive pins, one from Jaxon Smith at 187 pounds and one from Chase Mielnik at 197 pounds.
Smith wasted no time putting senior Lucas White on his back, securing the pin less than 20 seconds into the first period. Mielnik and senior Carsten Rawls went a scoreless period before Mielnik managed to swing behind Rawls, sending him toppling backward where Mielnik easily fell on him.
“When I think of how Chase Mielnik should wrestle, like if I close my eyes and think how I’d like to see him represent himself, that’s it,” Clemsen said. “Executed perfectly.”
John Martin Best defeated Kaden Milheim for a 12-1 major decision, though the 165-pound Terp looked as though he would not be wrestling this morning.
According to Clemsen, Best was vomiting repeatedly early in the morning and did not participate in workouts. Clemsen elevated Mekhi Neal intending to wrestle the true freshman at 165 pounds, but Best asked not to be removed from the lineup at the last minute.
“I can’t quote what he said to me, but he said ‘I’m wrestling tonight. Don’t pull me. I’ll perform,’” Clemsen said.
Clemsen also said he was happy about the high school as a host for the match, though he had several other ideas for dual meet venues he wants to try in the future.
“[We] have talked about taking this to MGM or National Harbor, doing it fight style like at the casino,” Clemsen said. “I wanted to wrestle in the baseball stadium today. Didn’t get the green light on that.”
Maryland next faces Morgan State at home in College Park, looking to continue its win streak.
