Photo courtesy of Dylan Davies/Maryland Terrapins
Maryland wrestling’s three-match win streak came to an end against the No. 11 Fighting Illini, dropping the meet 33-7.
The Terps (8-6, 3-1 Big Ten) gave up three technical falls in their loss to Illinois and managed only two victories.
Braxton Brown’s win streak also ended against No. 4 Lucas Byrd. Brown hit a takedown early in the first period, followed by a quick escape. Starting in the down position, Byrd twisted out of Brown’s grasp and secured a reversal, tying the bout and putting Byrd in position to rack up over a minute of riding time. In the end, however, riding time was not a factor as Byrd picked up a takedown with two seconds left in the third period.
Head coach Alex Clemsen said he expected Brown to rebound from the loss and prepare more for his future bouts.
“We’ll see how much this wakes him up and how much it bothers him because if he responds correctly athletically, he’s as good as anybody in the country,” Clemsen said. “His preparation isn’t and it showed.”
The Terps started freshman Abram Cline over Tyler Garvin in the 125-pound bout while also dressing freshman Presden Sanchez. Cline held the lead in the first period but ultimately dropped a 10-5 decision to junior Caelen Riley.
Clemsen remained noncommittal on the 125-pound starter going forward.
“That’s a good question,” Clemsen said when asked who was the 125-pound starter for the next dual meet.
Despite the team loss, Ethen Miller preserved his year-long dual meet win streak with a major decision victory over No. 22 Jason Kraisser. Miller got an 8-2 lead after the first period and never looked back, finishing with an 11-5 victory.
Jaxon Smith picked up the only other win of the night for the Terrapins, a 4-3 decision victory over No. 10 Edmond Ruth. Smith managed a takedown in the second period and went on the defensive for the remainder of the match, prompting objections from the Illinois bench and a stalling call within the final 30 seconds of the bout.
Ruth is Smith’s third top-15 win in the Big 10, continuing the gauntlet of top wrestlers he is slated to face.
“I get to see a lot of great wrestlers early in the season,” Smith said. “I think it best prepares me to peak at the right time towards the end of the season at NCAAs.”
The Terps will look to get back into the win column on Feb 2, staying in College Park to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes.
