Preview: No. 23 Maryland wrestling prepares for matchup with Navy

No. 23 Maryland wrestling looks to continue its winning ways on Sunday, staying in-state to take on Navy, the Midshipmen’s first dual competition of the year. 

Maryland has gotten off to a blazing 4-0 start to the season, with wins over American, Bloomsburg, Duke and then-No. 16 Pittsburgh. 

Braxton Brown will open things up for the Terps at 125, matching up against sophomore Dayton DelViscio. The redshirt freshman is 4-0 on the season, and his recent string of victories has propelled him into the InterMat top 25 for his weight class. His opponent, DelViscio, last competed in the Clarion Open on Nov. 6, where he went 2-1. 

Jackson Cockrell will represent the Terps at 133, facing off against junior Tyler Hunt. The redshirt freshman looks to get back on track after a 1-3 start to the season. Hunt, who has a 6-5 record on the year, last wrestled at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, where he lost both his matches. 

At 141, Maryland’s best is Kal Miller. The freshman, ranked 29th by Intermat, looks to bounce back from his first loss on the season in Maryland’s match against Pittsburgh. He appears to be matched up against junior Luke Lucerne, who had his most recent action at the Navy classic, where he went 2-2. 

Redshirt freshman Ethen Miller projects to wrestle for the Terps at 149. Miller’s 8-1 start to the season has placed him at 19th on Intermat’s rankings, and he’ll look to stay hot against freshman Kaemen Smith. Smith last competed at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, where he went 1-2. 

Ranked top 20 by Intermat, Michael North will look to continue his breakout season at 157. The redshirt junior has been excellent for the Terps this year, with a 6-1 record and some big wins that led to his rise into the rankings. North will take on No. 22 Andrew Cerniglia in what expects to be a tightly contested matchup. 

At 165, the Terps will send out either redshirt freshman John Martin Best or redshirt junior Lucas Cordio. Cordio was the choice against Pittsburgh, but the two have taken turns throughout the year. Navy will send out senior Val Park, who went 1-2 in his most recent action at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. 

Sophomore Dominic Solis will hold things down for the Terps at 174. Solis, who recently made the jump into the rankings at No. 27, is 4-0 on the season. Solis will face fellow sophomore Sammy Starr, who went 2-2 when he last competed at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. 

Chase Mielnik looks to represent Maryland at 185. The sophomore has been a solid competitor filling in for the injured Kevin Makosy, with some strong performances against tough opponents. Mielnik will take on senior Hunter Johns, who went 3-3 during his most recent performance at the Navy Classic. 

Jaxon Smith will wrestle for the Terps at 197. The redshirt freshman has exploded onto the scene this season, with big wins against ranked opponents that propelled him into the top 15 in both the FloWrestling and Intermat rankings. Smith appears to be matched up against No. 26 Jacob Koser, who expects to provide Smith with yet another challenge on the young season. 

No. 20 Jaron Smith will close things out for Maryland at heavyweight. The graduate student has transitioned well to his new weight class, looking comfortable while sporting an undefeated record. Smith will have his hands full against Grady Griess, the 18th ranked junior. Griess went 3-2 in his most recent matches in Vegas. 

“Should be a great match, last year’s was exciting,” coach Alex Clemsen said. “I’m sure this year will be another hard fought battle.”

The action will begin at 2 pm in the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis.