Shorthanded Maryland wrestling loses to No. 18 Wisconsin, 28-13

Photo courtesy of Rose Fernandes/Maryland Athletics.

Maryland wrestling took the trip to Ohio for its second match in three days, facing off against the No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers. 

The Terps (4-3, 0-2 B1G) were looking to bounce back after a 27-12 loss to Northwestern, while Wisconsin (9-1, 1-1 in B1G 10) lost to No. 4 Iowa in its last outing. Maryland was unable to string together any momentum against the Badgers – the Terps only won consecutive bouts once in the dual – leading to a 28-13 loss. 

With Braxton Brown out of the lineup, Maryland leaned on No. 15 Branson John out of the gate at 197 pounds. John was able to start the Terps out with a lead, picking up an 8-4 win over No. 28 Wyatt Ingham. John secured the victory with a late takedown, putting the Terps up 3-0.

Maryland’s hot start would be cut short in the next match – Oscar Williams was defeated by No. 9 Oscar Amos by fall at heavyweight. 

Wisconsin continued to roll as the match moved up to the lighter weights. No. 11 Nicolar Rivera defeated Presden Sanchez at 125 pounds in a 10-1 decision, giving the Badgers a 10-3 lead.

At 133 pounds, Abram Cline took on Wisconsin’s No. 14 Zan Fugitt. Fugitt was dominant throughout and was able to secure a tech fall victory to put the Badgers up 15-3. Ryan Kennedy took on Carson Exferd at 141 pounds and battled for a huge 6-2 decision, winning with a late takedown to keep the Terps in the match – they trailed 15-6 at intermission.

After intermission, No. 14 Carter Young stepped up at 149 pounds in a matchup with No. 17 Joseph Zargo. Young was able to steal a 11-6 decision over Zargo, picking up his second ranked win of the season and putting Maryland within six team points of Wisconsin. 

The momentum was starting to shift towards the Terps, but they  couldn’t keep it. Nathan Perry lost by technical fall at 157 pounds at the hands of No. 25 Luke Mechler, putting the Badgers up 20-9. 

At 165 pounds, AJ Rodriguez took on No. 26 Cody Gobel. Gobel took a 4-0 lead into the final period and was able to hold on for a 7-2 decision, increasing the lead to 23-9.

Seth Digby and Luke Condon competed in the 174 pound bout. Condon dominated throughout, winning by technical fall. 

The dual was closed out at 184 pounds, with  Sepanta Ahji- Elias for Maryland against Wisconsin’s David Malin. Ahji-Elias got the victory, taking a 13-1 major decision in his first ever collegiate dual for the Terps. 

Maryland will be back in action Jan. 16 against Purdue at the Xfinity Center.