The Maryland Terrapins wrestling team is preparing for the 2026 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which will take place March 7-8 at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center. The team will have 10 wrestlers competing, with two seeded in the top five. Branson John is seeded fourth at 197 pounds after a regular season record of 22-5, and Carter Young holds the fifth seed at 149 pounds with an 11-2 record. Braxton Brown also earned an eighth seed at 133 pounds, finishing the season at 16-6.
Other Maryland pre-seeds include Abram Cline (No. 14 at 125), Dario Lemus (No. 11 at 141), Mekhi Neal (No. 13 at 157), AJ Rodrigues (No. 13 at 165), Seth Digby (No. 14 at 174), Sepanta Ahanj-Elias (No.12 at184) and Joey Schneck(No.12at285). The event will be broadcast on Big Ten Network and B1G+.
Maryland finished last year’s Big Ten Wrestling Championships in eighth place with a program-record of 54 team points, marking their best performance since joining the conference. Six wrestlers placed in the top eight, qualifying for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships—a feat not achieved by Maryland since the2011–12 season.Braxton Brown was among those qualifiers and returns to compete again this year.
The Terps concluded this regular season with a record of five wins and nine losses overall, securing dual victories over Gardner-Webb, The Citadel, Morgan State, American University, and Drexel University. In conference competition against Big Ten opponents—considered one of the toughest schedules nationally—the team went winless but produced several ranked wins and individual highlights.
Branson John led Maryland in conference play with notable performances including a pin over a top-10 Ohio State opponent and a victory against Minnesota’s lineup.John achieved more than20wins for the first time in his career and leads his teammates both in total wins(22)and bonus-point production.He entered national rankings following his success at the Southeast Open—including victories over Minnesota’s Gavin Nelson(11–4)and West Virginia’s Rune Lawrence(12–2)—and climbed as high as No.16 nationally during the season.His conference results included multiple ranked wins such as falls or decisions over Northwestern,Wisconsin,Minnesota,and Ohio State competitors.
Carter Young also contributed key ranked wins during league action—defeating opponents from Wisconsin,Purdue,and Rutgers—and recorded a major decision victory.Braxton Brown secured multiple dual victories including sudden-victory decisions over ranked opponents from Rutgers.The Terps’ roster registered additional conference wins across other weight classes including141,157,174,and heavyweight divisions.
Reflecting on recent progress,the Terps are coming off one of their most successful seasons since entering the Big Ten.The program set records for both points scored and number of individual placers during last year’s championships.Maryland achieved its highest-ever finish in regular-season duals—including its first win over a top-10 opponent(Michigan)since2009.At last year’s NCAA Championships,Jaxon Smith finished sixth at184pounds earning All-American honors—the program’s first since2019.Maryland matched its best point total since2014atNCAAsand qualified six wrestlers—its highest number since2012.Returners this season include Braxton Brown,Branson John,and Jaxon Smith.Head Coach Alex Clemsen is entering his seventh year leading Maryland,w ith associate head coach Nick Brascetta continuing alongside him.Assistant coaches Ethan Laird(third year)and Cole Matthews(second year,promoted to assistant coach)this season round out staff leadership.
“Jaxon Smith earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at184pounds last season.”