Michigan routs Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The No. 4-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team claimed nine matches, earning bonus points in four, to roll to a dominant 34-4 road win against Maryland on Friday night (Feb. 15) at the Terrapins' Xfinity Center.

The dual opened and closed with a pair of highlights, including a win for sophomore/freshman Jack Medley in his varsity debut at 125 pounds. Medley defeated Brandon Cray, 7-1, on takedowns late in the first and third periods. He rode out both periods after the takedown and nearly rode the entirety of the third -- earning a stall point on top -- to accumulate 2:07 in time advantage.

Freshman heavyweight Mason Parris, ranked seventh nationally, earned a 6-2 decision over ninth-ranked Youssif Hemida -- a 2018 NCAA All-American and the Terrapins' lone ranked wrestler -- in the dual's final bout. After just missing on his own leg attack early in the first, Parris countered a Hemida throw attempt late in the period to take the lead. Parris held onto a narrow one-point lead late in the third after trading escapes and giving up a hands-to-the-face penalty when Hemida again tried to go upper body. Parris again countered, scoring a last-second takedown and, with it, earning exactly 1:00 of riding-time advantage. It was Parris' third win this season over a top-10 opponent.

Fifth-year senior Malik Amine knocked off Maryland's other standout, two-time NCAA qualifier Alfred Bannister, in a wild 11-9 decision at 149 pounds. Amine used a first-period single leg to strike first and built his lead with a two-point leg turk and rideout in the second. Bannister rallied in the third, scoring several takedowns in the closing two minutes, but Amine earned a last-second escape and held 1:41 in riding-time advantage to make the difference.

Michigan earned bonus points at four weights, most notably a quick first-period pin from its top-ranked wrestler, senior/junior Stevan Micic, at 133 pounds. Micic finished on an early high crotch against Orion Anderson, splitting the middle and holding him on his back for a four count before transitioning to a bottom-leg cradle for the fall in 1:36. It was his third pin this season as he improved to 12-0.

Fifth-year senior Alec Pantaleo, ranked fifth at 157 pounds, rolled to a 13-4 major decision against Ryan Diehl behind five takedowns and 1:37 in riding-time advantage. Pantaleo scored on a variety of attacks, including a slick duck under at the second-period buzzer, and secured the bonus margin with a single leg -- and stall point -- late in the third.

Junior/sophomore Logan Massa, ranked seventh at 165 pounds, was even more dominant out of the intermission break, rolling to an 18-2 technical fall over Phillip Spadaforda. Massa earned four takedowns and eight back points -- four on a first-period bow and arrow and four more on a leg turk in the closing moments of the third period to earn his technical-fall margin. He rode for 3:48 in the bout, tacking on one more point at match's end.

Senior/junior Jackson Striggow also earned big third-period points en route to a 13-3 major decision over Niko Cappellp at 197 pounds. Striggow benefitted from takedowns late in the first and second period and added two more in the third period. After scoring on a go behind in the third, Striggow cut Cappello loose to go for bonus, and the Terp wrestler made it easy, giving up back-to-back penalty points on a singlet grab and hands-to-the-face call. Striggow added another takedown for good measure and finished with 1:55 in riding-time advantage.

Junior/sophomore Kanen Storr and sophomore/freshman Jelani Embree rounded out Michigan's wins with decisions at 141 and 184 pounds, respectively. Storr, ranked sixth nationally, used a four-point tilt in the second period and rode for 1:24 to secure a 7-2 victory over Danny Bertoni. Embree, ranked 20th, earned a 7-1 decision over Kyle Jasenski behind, similarly, a four-point tilt in the second, a third-period takedown on the edge and 3:35 in riding-time advantage. It was Embree's second win in a row since returning from injury.

Michigan (11-1, 6-1 Big Ten) will wrap up its road trip -- and its Big Ten dual slate -- at No. 18 Rutgers on Sunday (Feb. 17) in Piscataway, New Jersey. The meet is slated for a noon start at the Rutgers Athletic Center and will be aired live on Big Ten Network.

Results:
125 -- Jack Medley (U-M) dec. Brandon Cray, 7-1 [U-M, 3-0]
133 -- #1 Stevan Micic (U-M) pinned Orion Anderson, 1:3 [U-M, 9-0]
141 -- #6 Kanen Storr (U-M) dec. Danny Bertoni, 7-2 [U-M, 12-0]
149 -- Malik Amine (U-M) dec. Alfred Bannister, 11-9 [U-M, 15-0]
157 -- #5 Alec Pantaleo (U-M) major dec. Ryan Diehl, 13-4 [U-M, 19-0]
165 -- #7 Logan Massa (U-M) tech. fall Phillip Spadafora, 18-2 (7:00) [U-M, 24-0]
174 -- Josh Ugalde (UMD) major dec. Reece Hughes, 12-2 [U-M, 24-4]
184 -- #20 Jelani Embree (U-M) dec. Kyle Jasenski, 7-1 [U-M, 27-4]
197 -- Jackson Striggow (U-M) major dec. Niko Cappello, 13-3 [U-M, 31-4]
Hwt -- #7 Mason Parris (U-M) dec. #8 Youssif Hemida, 6-2 [U-M, 34-4]