The University of Maryland wrestling team is preparing for the Journeymen Collegiate Classic, scheduled for Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be streamed live on FloWrestling.
Sixteen Maryland wrestlers are set to participate in this round-robin style tournament. Unlike traditional bracket formats, each of the ten weight classes is divided into multiple groups and then split into two pools, Pool A and Pool B. Wrestlers will compete within their respective pools in mini round-robin tournaments. The competitor with the best record in each pool will advance to compete for that group’s championship.
The Terrapins competing include Abram Cline (125), Tyler Garvin (125), Dario Lemus (141), Clayton Gabrielson (141), Jackson Young (149), Michael Pizzuto (149), Mekhi Neal (157), AJ Rodrigues (165), Alex Uryniak (165), John Martin Best (165), Dom Solis (174), Jaxon Smith (184), Branson John (197), Sepanta Ahanj-Elias (197), Anthony Bradley (197), and Joey Schneck (285).
Maryland began its 2025-26 season with a strong performance at the Southeast Open. Branson John won the 197-pound title after recording four consecutive bonus-point victories, including wins over nationally ranked opponents Gavin Nelson of Minnesota and Rune Lawrence of West Virginia. This achievement led to his first appearance in national rankings this season—No. 22 by FloWrestling and No. 16 by InterMat.
Other notable results from the Southeast Open included Braxton Brown’s runner-up finish at 133 pounds after three straight wins, Oscar Williams reaching the finals in the heavyweight Freshman/Sophomore division with three bonus-point victories, and Dario Lemus placing third at 141 pounds. Several other Terrapins earned podium finishes across both Open and Freshman/Sophomore divisions.
Currently, five Maryland wrestlers hold national rankings across major polls: Braxton Brown is ranked No. 10 at 133 pounds by both FloWrestling and InterMat; Jaxon Smith is No. 5 at 184 pounds; Dario Lemus is No. 28 by FloWrestling and No. 26 by InterMat at 141 pounds; Branson John debuts at No. 22 by FloWrestling and No. 16 by InterMat at 197 pounds; Dom Solis enters at No. 31 by FloWrestling at 174 pounds.
Looking back on last season, Maryland achieved several program milestones during the 2024–25 campaign, including setting records for points and individual placers at the Big Ten Championships as well as posting its highest team finish since joining the conference. The Terps also recorded their most regular-season dual wins ever and secured a victory over a top-10 opponent for the first time since November 2009.
At the NCAA Championships, Maryland matched its best point total and finish since 2014, qualifying six wrestlers—the most since 2012—and seeing Jaxon Smith earn All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at 184 pounds.
Key returners for Maryland this season include Braxton Brown, Branson John, and Jaxon Smith—all NCAA qualifiers last year who are expected to provide leadership for the team moving forward.
Braxton Brown returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier from 2023–25:
“Braxton Brown returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier (2023–25) and one of Maryland’s consistent performers.”
Branson John comes back following a freshman year highlighted by postseason success:
“Branson John returns after a freshman season that included national recognition and postseason experience.”
Jaxon Smith remains part of the lineup as an All-American:
“Jaxon Smith returns as a three-time NCAA qualifier and three-time Big Ten placer.”
Maryland has added new talent to its roster for this season, including seven freshmen and one transfer athlete.
Chase Horne joins from NC State after competing in both heavyweight and 197-pound categories over three seasons there:
“In 2023–24, he wrestled exclusively at heavyweight, posting a 13–6 record…”
Garrett Reece arrives following his high school career in Colorado where he was state champion:
“Garrett Reece joins Maryland after a high school career at Regis Jesuit High School (CO). A 2024 Colorado State Champion…”
Ryan Kennedy comes from SPIRE Academy in Ohio with national ranking credentials:
“Ryan Kennedy arrives from SPIRE Academy (OH), where he ranked No. 16 nationally at his weight by FloWrestling…”
Freshmen Garrett Reece and Ryan Kennedy are expected to contribute immediately:
“Freshmen Garrett Reece and Ryan Kennedy are expected to make an impact in their first season.”