Feb. 1, 1998

Terps Struggle Against North Carolina

Jeff Whalen Receives ACC Honors As Team Takes Second At The Millersville Inv.

TERPS STRUGGLE WITH TAR HEELS: The North Carolina Tar Heels were at their best on Saturday as they left Ritchie Coliseum with a 38-0 shutout of an injury-plagued Maryland team. The Terps, who were missing three starters--Don Kukan, Dave Carter and Ted Harlan--struggled in the opening matches. The combined difference in the tri-captains' losses was only four points, and freshman Josh Weidman controlled his opponent until the final moments.

PATRIOT GAMES: In one of the most pivotal matches of the season, Maryland relied on its experience to outmuscle the George Mason Patriots, 32-9 last Wednesday. Although Maryland starts four freshmen, the Terrapin senior tri-captains came up with big wins at crucial moments. After Shane Mack earned a 4-1 win at 142 pounds, Jeff Whalen pinned George Mason's Christian Devol two minutes into his match at 150 pounds and Craig Garrison posted a decisive 5-0 victory at 177. Maryland was inspired by Garrison's intensity as Don Kukan dominated his match 16-1 and heavyweight Dave Carter pinned Tareq Haider at 2:12.

SENIOR PERFORMANCES: Combining for a .726 winning percentage, Maryland's senior tri-captains, Shane Mack at 142 pounds, Jeff Whalen at 150, and Craig Garrison at 177, have stepped up amidst a young Terrapin team. While each has posted six dual meet victories, their presence in the middle of the Maryland lineup has caused problems for opponents. All three finished third in their respective weight classes at the ACCs last March and Whalen and Mack were NCAA qualifiers.

WELCOME BACK CARTER: Senior heavyweight Dave Carter pulled out a 15-11 victory over James Worrell to give the Terps a 17-16 comeback win over Old Dominion. Carter, who at 27 is the oldest Maryland wrestler, has won eight of his last 10 matches including a third place finish at the Millersville Invitational.

TERP FRESHMEN TURNING HEADS: Maryland's four freshmen starters have made an immediate impact in the lineup. Joe Guzzio has recorded 18 wins, Mark Mansueto had a pivotal 9-8 win over Omar Mann of Coppin State in December, Chad Masemer has two pins and Josh Weidman won seven of his first eight matches.

WHALEN RECEIVES ACC HONORS: Senior co-captain Jeff Whalen was named ACC Performer of the Week on Jan. 13. The 1997 NCAA qualifier helped Maryland finish second at the Millersville Invitational by defeating Chris Potter of the College of New Jersey, 6-3 in the 150-pound weight class. He followed up his victory by defeating Chip Cochran of James Madison University, 6-4, to win at 150 pounds on the following Friday, Jan. 13.

THIS WEEK
Fri., Feb. 6 At University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7 At American Invitational, Washington, D.C. 9:00 a.m.

NEXT WEEK Sat., Feb. 14 Vs. Duke University, College Park, MD 1:00 p.m.
Sun., Feb 15 Vs. American University, College Park, MD 1:00 p.m.

NAME           Year Wgt        Overall     Duals         Tour.       Falls        Hometown
Joe Guzzio      Fr. 118         18-13       4-4          14-9           4       Greensboro, NC
Mark Mansueto   So. 126         13-12       3-4          10-8           0       West Chester, PA                         
Ted Harlan      Jr. 134         14-8        6-1           8-7           1       Glenmoore, PA
Shane Mack      Sr. 142         18-8        6-2          12-6           1       Lancaster, PA
Jeff Whalen     Sr. 150         22-6        6-2          16-4           3       Camp Hill, PA                                       
Josh Weidman    Fr. 158         13-14       2-6          11-8           2       Hershey, PA                  
Chad Masemer    Fr. 167         4-13        3-5           1-8           2       Littlestown, PA                                      
Craig Garrison  Sr. 177         16-7        6-1          10-6           5       Pompton Lakes, PA                                                
Don Kukan       Jr. 190         4-6         1-3           3-3           0       Massey, MD
Dave Carter     Sr. Hwt         9-11        3-4           6-7           3       Gaithersburg, MD

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