Maryland trailed 13-0 on the team score. John Martin Best started his bout against Alex Wesselman, scoring six points in the first period. After adding two more in period two, Best held complete control in the third period.

With less than 25 seconds left in the bout, Best found the right position on the mat to earn his first fall win of the year. It was also the only victory of the day for Maryland.

Maryland lost the dual against No. 3 Michigan, 44-5.

The Terps came into the dual off a tough loss to No. 22 Michigan State. Only No. 12 Braxton Brown and No. 25 Jaron Smith came away with victories in the loss. 

Maryland entered the match against Michigan undermanned yet again. No. 14 Jaxon Smith, No. 24 Michael North, and No. 20 Ethen Miller remained out for the dual. Brown was also ruled out for the dual, leaving Maryland without four of its ranked wrestlers. 

Starting at 141, the Terps looked to No. 33 Kal Miller to get the dual started on a high note. Tied 1-1 in the third period Miller’s opponent Pat Nolan was able to earn a takedown with under ten seconds left in the bout. Head coach Alex Clemsen challenged the call to no avail. Nolan won the bout 3-1. 

Joe Fisk struggled in his second collegiate bout losing by major decision to Fidel Mayora in the 149-weight class. Kevin Schork followed Fisk with a hard matchup against No. 7 Will Lewan. Lewan got off to a quick start and pinned Schork in the first period. 

Following Best’s fall victory, No. 33 Dom Solis took on Max Maylor in the 174 bout. Solis was trailing Maylor 7-5 going into the third period. Maylor was able to prevail in the third earning a takedown that sealed his victory. 

Heading into the last three bouts of the afternoon the Terps trailed 16-6 on the team score. That lead only continued to grow for Michigan.

Chase Mielnik lost his bout by technical fall to No. 7 Matt Finesilver adding another five points to the Michigan tally. Without Jaxon Smith the Terps forfeited the 197 bout, putting No. 25 Jaron Smith on the mat next. 

Smith couldn’t find any traction in his bout against No. 1 Mason Parris losing by technical fall in the third period. To make matters worse, Maryland was deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct following the bout.

After another Maryland forfeit in the 125-weight class, Conner Quinn looked to wrap up the dual on a better note. Quinn couldn’t accomplish the feat losing by pin in the first period. 

This dual caps off a rough weekend for the Terps in which they won only three bouts the whole weekend. This loss leaves Maryland searching for their first Big Ten win of the season and brings their losing streak to four. 

The Terps will have five days off before their next conference foe (No. 23 Rutgers) comes to College Park on Saturday.