Maryland wrestling will host No. 16 Pitt in its first home dual of the 2025-26 season on December 13 at Schanwald Pavilion, XFINITY Center. The match is set to begin at noon and will be broadcast on B1G+.
The Maryland Terrapins are entering the matchup with a 4-0 record this season. Their recent performances include wins over Gardner-Webb, The Citadel, Morgan State, and American. Against Gardner-Webb, Maryland secured a 27–13 victory with contributions from Dominic Solis and Joey Schneck, who both scored major decisions. Dario Lemus and Branson John added technical falls, while Jaxon Smith achieved a pin at 184 pounds.
In their following contest against The Citadel, the Terps won 24–9 with early victories from Braxton Brown and Lemus. Jackson Young contributed a decision win at 149 pounds, while upperweights Solis, Smith, and John recorded major decisions. Oscar Williams finished the dual with a win at heavyweight.
Maryland improved to 3–0 after defeating Morgan State 39–7. Abram Cline started the dual with a decision win; Brown and Mekhi Neal received forfeits; Williams earned a technical fall; Rodrigues had a major decision; Lemus pinned his opponent; John delivered another technical fall; and Solis sealed the result with a late takedown.
Most recently, Maryland won 27–9 over American University behind standout performances including pins by Brown at 133 pounds and strong showings from Lemus (8–4 decision), Young (9–5 win), Rodrigues (4–2 decision), Solis (14–4 major decision), Digby (first collegiate dual win), and John (21–5 technical fall).
Reflecting on last season’s achievements, Maryland set program records for points and individual placers at the Big Ten Championships as well as for regular-season dual wins. The team also notched its first victory over a top-10 opponent since November 2009 by defeating No. 10 Michigan. At the NCAA Championships, Jaxon Smith earned All-American honors by finishing sixth at 184 pounds—the program’s first All-American since 2019—and six wrestlers qualified for nationals.
Head Coach Alex Clemsen leads Maryland into his seventh season alongside associate head coach Nick Brascetta. Assistant coach Ethan Laird returns for his third year while Cole Matthews has been promoted to assistant coach in his second year.
Dario Lemus has started strong this season at 141 pounds with an undefeated dual record so far. After upsetting West Virginia’s Jordan Titus earlier in the year and performing well in tournaments such as the Southeast Open and Journeymen Collegiate Classic, Lemus has remained nationally ranked throughout the season.
Branson John has also delivered notable results for Maryland after moving up to compete at 197 pounds this year. He currently holds an undefeated record of 11-0—including five major decisions and three technical falls—and entered national rankings following tournament victories against ranked opponents.
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