The Maryland wrestling team is set to host No. 6 Minnesota on Sunday, February 8, at Schanwald Pavilion. The match will begin at 1:00 p.m. EST and will be available on B1G+. This event marks the seventh meeting between Maryland and Minnesota since the Terps joined the Big Ten in 2015. Maryland is still seeking its first win in this series.
The probable lineup for Maryland includes Abram Cline or Presden Sanchez at 125 pounds, Braxton Brown at 133 pounds, Dario Lemus or Ryan Kennedy at 141 pounds, Michael Pizzuto or Carter Young at 149 pounds, Mekhi Neal or Nathan Perry at 157 pounds, Alex Uryniak or AJ Rodrigues at 165 pounds, Seth Digby at 174 pounds, Sepanta Ahanj-Elias at 184 pounds, Branson John at 197 pounds, and Oscar Williams or Joey Schneck in the heavyweight division.
Minnesota’s projected lineup features several nationally ranked wrestlers such as Jore Volk (#10) at 125 pounds and Koy Hopke (#10) in the heavyweight class.
True freshmen Ryan Kennedy and Sepanta-Ahanj Elias recently achieved their first career dual wins for Maryland against Wisconsin on January 11. At 141 pounds, Kennedy secured a close decision over Carson Exferd with a late takedown. Ahanj-Elias dominated his opponent David Malin with a major decision while competing one weight class down.
Maryland enters the matchup with an overall record of four wins and seven losses this season. The team has recorded victories over Gardner-Webb, The Citadel, Morgan State, and American University. In Big Ten competition so far this season, Maryland has faced Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Penn State, and Rutgers.
Key individual performances for Maryland include Carter Young (149 lbs), who holds a record of nine wins and one loss with several victories over ranked opponents; Branson John (197 lbs), who has defeated two ranked wrestlers and recorded a pin against Northwestern; and Braxton Brown (133 lbs), who has six dual wins including multiple technical falls.
Additional conference wins have come from Ryan Kennedy (141 lbs), Sepanta Ahanj-Elias (184 lbs), AJ Rodrigues (165 lbs), Joey Schneck (285 lbs), and Dario Lemus (141 lbs).
Last season was one of Maryland’s most successful since joining the Big Ten. The team set program records for points scored and individual placers at the Big Ten Championships and achieved its highest finish in both regular-season duals and championship standings. Notably, Maryland defeated No. 10 Michigan for its first victory over a top-10 opponent since November 2009.
At last year’s NCAA Championships, Maryland matched its best team point total and finish since 2014. Jaxon Smith earned All-American honors by finishing sixth at 184 pounds — becoming the program’s first All-American since 2019. Six Terps qualified for nationals last season — their highest number since 2012 — including returners Braxton Brown, Branson John, and Jaxon Smith.
Head Coach Alex Clemsen is now in his seventh season leading the program. He is joined by associate head coach Nick Brascetta as well as assistant coaches Ethan Laird and Cole Matthews.