Maryland wrestling tops Drexel in final dual of season, 27-15

Maryland wrestling didn’t use its usual wrestlers in its final dual meet of the season. But the Terps still performed against Drexel, defeating the Dragons 27-15.

Maryland gave its roster depth some experience in a meet that saw three pins for the Terps. Braxton Brown and Jaxon Smith put their unranked opponents in pins, and Chase Mielnik surprised the crowd with a pin of his own.

Kevin Schork last appeared on the Pavillion wrestling mat in the Red vs. Black match. He did not fare much better against fifth-year senior Tyler Williams, giving up a 5-1 decision. Wrestling for Michael North, who is resting before the Big 10 tournament, Schork was unable to secure a takedown through three periods, giving up one in the process.

Gaven Bell was officially winless in dual meets for the 2023-2024 season. Against No. 28 Cody Walsh, Bell gave up a single takedown and could not make up the difference, with Walsh fending off every attack. Walsh was able to scroll off every waist attack Bell threw at him, although Bell was able to keep Walsh on the defensive.

The 165-pound weight class has been a weak point for the Terps all season ever since the season’s presumptive starter John Martin Best tore his ACL. In fact, Best was the only 165-pound Terps wrestler to win a dual meet bout this season. Coach Alex Clemsen said he is still unsure of his plans for that weight class next season.

“We’re a long way from next year,” Clemsen said when asked about the weight class.

It was a typical match for Dom Solis, with no score in the first period and a 1-1 tie going into sudden death. But Jack Janda was able to keep his win streak alive against the Terps captain with a takedown during a scramble, winning 4-1. Janda was able to break Solis’ grip on his thigh during a scrape, by rule giving him a takedown and the victory.

Chase Mielnik treated the fans at the Pavillion to a vintage performance, pinning redshirt freshman Ethan Wilson midway through the second period. It was his first pin since New Year’s Day of 2023. Mielnik nearly secured a pin in the first period, reversing Wilson’s takedown and getting four back points. He was able to take advantage of his own takedown in the second period.

And if Mielnik got a pin, then No. 4 Jaxon Smith needed one too. Redshirt freshman Chase Levey held his own against Smith in the first period, only giving up one takedown and getting an escape out of the ordeal, but in choosing down position to start the second period he gave Smith the opportunity to flip him over.

No. 23 Seth Nevills put a strong finish on his inaugural Maryland campaign with a technical fall victory over redshirt freshman heavyweight Dom Petracci. The former Nittany Lion averaged a takedown per period until the third frame, in which he turned to a catch-and-release strategy to get the extra team point. The extra team point was erased, however, when the referees docked the Terps a team point after Nevills allegedly pushed Petracci’s head into the ground after the final whistle.

After a loss from Tommy Capul, No. 17 Braxton Brown reignited the crowd with the third pin of the night against redshirt freshman John Hildebrandt. The bout started out slow, with Brown up just 2-0 going into the final period. But Brown caught Hildebrandt on his heels and struck his upper body, putting Hildebrandt on his back with Brown on top of him. About ten seconds later, Brown was on his feet waving his arms to the crowd after quadrupling the number of Terps dual meet pins this season.

Dario Lemus now has two dual meet wins in his young career, both of which are technical falls. Lemus played catch-and-release with true freshman Jordan Soriano, racking up 21 points before the third period could begin. Lemus sealed his 22-7 major decision victory with an escape from down position just two seconds into the third period.

It didn’t take long for Lemus to realize he had an opportunity to secure his second dual meet technical fall.

“Right when I touched his legs the first time, I was able to finish real quick,” Lemus said. “And then I got the go-ahead from my coaches, and I trust in them because I know they know what I’m doing.”

Clemsen has high expectations for the freshman’s future.

“He’s the guy,” Clemsen said with Lemus beside him after the meet. “He’s the future, there’s no doubt about that.”

Clemsen confirmed that Lemus will have an expanded role next season, announcing that current 141-pound starter Kal Miller will be redshirting next season.

“Kal Miller will redshirt next year,” Clemsen said. “He was a true freshman last year so he’ll be redshirting next year.”

The Terps will be on home mat for the Big 10 tournament, which will take place in XFINITY Center on Mar. 9 and Mar. 10.