Preview: No. 23 Maryland wrestling prepares for Virginia Duals

After a close 17-16 loss its last time out against Indiana, No. 23 Maryland wrestling (5-1) heads down to Hampton, Virginia for the Virginia Duals. There, the Terps will face Oklahoma (3-2), Ohio (2-1), Campbell (6-5) and Virginia (3-1) in four different dual matches. 

“Look forward to all four of those matchups,” coach Alex Clemsen said. “Four quality opponents gives our young kids a chance to get right back out there and test themselves.” 

Redshirt freshman Braxton Brown will represent the Terps at 125. Brown has been phenomenal on the season, entering with an 11-2 record and plenty of quality wins. The national rankings reflect Brown’s success, with Intermat putting him at No. 23. Potential opponents for Brown are Oklahoma graduate student Joey Prata, Ohio redshirt junior Oscar Sanchez, Campbell redshirt freshman Zak Thompson and Virginia freshman Kyle Montaperto. 

At 133, Maryland will decide between redshirt freshman Jackson Cockrell or sophomore Conner Quinn. Both Cockrell and Quinn have struggled as of late, and the Terps have been switching between the two to try and find production at the weight class. Whoever Maryland sends out will face Oklahoma redshirt freshman Wyatt Henson, Virginia freshman Garrett Grice, Ohio redshirt senior Gio Disabato and Campbell redshirt junior Dominic Zaccone. 

Freshman Kal Miller will wrestle for the Terps at 141. Miller’s most recent win, a sudden decision victory over Cayden Rooks, has given him a spot in the rankings at No. 33. Miller will be challenged by Oklahoma junior No. 24 Moscha Schwartz, Virginia junior Dylan Cedeno, Ohio sophomore Aidan Waszak and Campbell senior Shannon Hanna. 

No. 28 Ethen Miller will come out for Maryland at 149. The redshirt freshman is coming off a tough 5-3 decision loss to No. 33 Graham Rooks in the final bout of the match. Miller’s potential opponents include Virginia graduate student No. 29 Jarod Verkleeren, Ohio freshman Pierce Taylor, Oklahoma graduate student No. 13 Mitch Moore and Campbell redshirt sophomore Chris Rivera. 

At 157, Michael North will compete for Maryland. The redshirt junior is in the middle of a breakout season, with a 10-4 record and a No. 33 ranking. North will go up against Virginia graduate student Denton Spencer, Oklahoma redshirt senior No. 26 Jacob Butler, Ohio redshirt freshman Peyten Kellar and Campbell redshirt senior Troy Nation. 

Redshirt freshman John Martin Best will represent Maryland at 165. Best got a much-needed win against Indiana’s Tyler Lillard in his most recent match, and he’ll look to carry that momentum into the Virginia Duals. Best will face Ohio redshirt junior Jordan Slivka, Virginia fifth year No. 14 Justin McCoy, Oklahoma sophomore No. 16 Gerrit Nijenhuis and Campbell freshman Dom Baker. 

Dominic Solis continues to hold things down for the Terps at 174. The sophomore fell in his last bout, an 11-6 decision loss against a tough opponent in No. 18 DJ Washington. Solis will look to bounce back against Virginia fifth year Victor Marcelli, Oklahoma senior Darrien Roberts, Ohio sophomore Sal Perrine and Campbell redshirt freshman Cole Rees. 

At 184, sophomore Chase Mielnik will compete for Maryland. Mielnik has been solid while filling in for injured redshirt junior Kevin Makosy, with some impressive comeback wins against skilled wrestlers. Makosy will have some skilled competition at the Virginia Duals in the form of Virginia graduate student No. 18 Neil Antrassian, Oklahoma sophomore Tate Picklo, Campbell redshirt senior No. 27 Caleb Hopkins and Ohio sophomore Zayne Lehman. 

No. 11 Jaxon Smith will look to continue to climb the rankings at 197. The redshirt freshman is having an excellent season, with plenty of quality wins and contests against some of the nation’s best wrestlers in his weight class. Smith will face Virginia graduate student Michael Battista, Oklahoma sophomore Seth Seago, Ohio redshirt junior Carson Brewer and Campbell redshirt junior Levi Hopkins. 

At heavyweight, No. 30 Jaron Smith will wrestle for Maryland. Smith had an impressive win in the Terps’ match against Indiana over No. 32 Jacob Bullock. The graduate student will see some skilled heavyweights at the Virginia Duals, like Oklahoma redshirt junior No. 19 Josh Heindselman, Ohio junior Jacob Padilla, Virginia senior Ethan Weatherspoon and Campbell redshirt junior No. 12 Taye Ghadiali. 

On Friday, Maryland will take on Oklahoma at 11:30 a.m. and Ohio at 1 p.m. On Saturday, Maryland will take on Campbell at 1 p.m. and Virginia at 2:30 p.m.