Maryland wrestling falls to Indiana, 22-19

Maryland returned to the mat on Friday against Indiana after an elongated break from their match against Ohio State on Jan. 22, but failed to record its first conference win of the season.

Coming off of a tough stretch of road matches, notably Ohio State and Michigan, Maryland was relieved to come back to College Park. This was arguably Maryland’s best chance of winning a dual meet in their tough Big Ten schedule so far, with the teams entering a combined 1-10 in conference dual meets.

Maryland would equalize the score in the 133-pound class after losing a close 3-2 match in the 125-pound class, as Billy Rappo would win in a 7-2 decision.

The story of the match was Ryan Diehl, who was wrestling in his first dual meet of the season. He would pin Cole Weaver at 3:19, putting Maryland ahead 9-3. Diehl, a redshirt sophomore, came into the overall match with only a 2-0 record on the season. The pin came as a surprise for everyone in the Xfinity Center Pavilion.

However, Indiana would go on a five-match win streak, including a technical fall by No. 7 Nate Jackson, to extend their lead to 22-9, clinching the match win for the Hoosiers.

Maryland was able to pull closer at the end, ending on a two-match win streak, including a pin by Youssif Hemida in the 285-pound class, his eighth win in his last ten matches dating back to the Midlands Championships, and his third pin in his last six matches.

Indiana would win the overall match, 22-19, leaving Maryland still winless in Big Ten match play.

Maryland will send their young guns to the Messiah Open on Feb. 4.

The Terps will then finish their home schedule next Saturday against Northwestern before traveling to Penn State, Rider, and Drexel to finish the regular season.