By Jacob Steinberg
The Terps looked to bounce back after back-to-back Big Ten losses against Wisconsin and Northwestern. The No. 7 Iowa Hawkeyes experience was evident, as they defeated the Terrapins 40-6.
The match began with redshirt freshman Brandon Cray taking on freshman Justin Stickley in the 125-pound weight class. Stickley controlled most of the match, but was only able to get one takedown defeating Cray 2-0, starting the string of consecutive wins for the Hawkeyes.
Jhared Simmons looked to bounce back and pick up a victory for the Terrapins at 133 lbs., but Philip Laux proved to be too tough defeating him 12-3 executing multiple takedowns throughout the fight.
The Terps needed a big victory from Ryan Diehl and he nearly was able to pull it out for them. Diehl, a freshman, has been one of the bright spots for the Terps this year coming into today with a record of 4-1. Diehl and Happel’s bout at 141 lbs. was the most entertaining match of the day. In a back and forth affair Happel was awarded the victory by decision after the score was tied 7-7 through three periods.
Peter Tedesco in the 149-pound weight class had a very tough test facing off against number two Brandon Sorensen. He came into today with a record of 5-0, defeating back to back ranked opponents against Illinois and Rutgers. Sorensen executed a pinfall 1:49 into the match giving Iowa a 16-0 lead and it did not look back.
It would not get any easier for the Terps however, with Justin Alexander facing off against Michael Kemerer ranked number three in the 157-pound weight class. Kemerer displayed why he is one of the best wrestlers in his weight class, executing multiple takedowns throughout the three periods winning by technical fall 26-10.
Alex Marinelli the third of four Hawkeyes ranked wrestlers, No. 14 in the 165-pound weight class defeated Brenham Burnham by pinfall increasing the Hawkeye lead to 27-0. Marinelli the freshman was able to execute multiple takedowns against the sophomore Burnham before the pinfall.
Josh Ugalde facing off against Joey Gunther at the 174-pound weight class sustained an injury early on in the match. He was able to continue the match, ultimately losing to Joey Gunther 3-1 in one of the more competitive matches of the day.
Spencer Woods one of the most experienced wrestlers for the Terps struggled in a tough battle against Iowa’s Mitch Bowman in the 184-pound weight class. Bowman defeated Woods by a score of 20-5 winning by technical fall further increasing the Hawkeye lead to 35-0.
In the final match of the day at 197 lbs., Cash Wilcke defeated Niko Cappello executing multiple takedowns throughout the match, also winning by technical fall 19-4. Similar to the other Hawkeye wrestlers Wilcke was able to get takedowns very early on.
Many fans on both sides were disappointed when number 10 Youssif Hemida did not wrestle against number 7 Sam Stoll for Iowa. Both wrestlers have had a fantastic start to the season Hemida at 9-0 and Stoll at 6-0. The Iowa coaching staff made the decision to have Stoll not wrestle awarding the Terps their only victory of the day by forfeit in the 285-pound weight class.
The Terps looked to come back after the holiday break well rested and healthy at the Midlands Tournament Dec. 29 and 30.
