Maryland wrestling splits final home duals of season vs. Rider, Ohio

After finishing its Big Ten schedule with a close 26-22 home loss to No. 18 Minnesota, Maryland wrestling wrapped up its season with a home doubleheader dual against Rider and Ohio on Sunday.

Up first for the Terps was No. 21 Rider, who edged Maryland 23-18. This was Maryland’s second straight strong showing against a ranked opponent, following the Minnesota match last weekend.

The Terps took four matches, including a forfeit win. The highlight for Maryland was No. 6 heavyweight Youssif Hemida, who improved to 23-2 with his eighth pin of the season. But Maryland couldn’t finish enough of its matches against the Broncs (13-5, 5-1 EWL), losing two by one point because of riding time. The Terps were unable to flip a few scores late in the match.

Maryland’s final dual of the day and of the season was against Ohio, and the Terps left everything on the mat, defeating the Bobcats 33-14. The Terps (5-12, 0-9 Big Ten) rode the momentum from the close Rider loss by winning eight matches in the dual, including four pins.

Patrick Gerish and Justin Alexander both recorded pins in their last home matches for Maryland, and No. 18 Alfred Bannister recorded his ninth pin of the season. Hemida continued his dominance, improving to 24-2 on the season. With the win, head coach Kerry McCoy became the third coach in Maryland history to record 100 wins, and the Terps finished with their best dual record since the 2013-14 season.

Now, Maryland looks ahead to the postseason. The Terps will send out wrestlers to the National Collegiate Open this coming weekend, but the main action starts on March 3-4, the Big Ten Championships in East Lansing, Michigan.