Maryland vs American Dual Preview

Maryland and American are only about a 10-mile drive from each other, but the original setting for this year’s rivalry match was the Bullis School, which is still less than 20 miles from either campus. However, last Friday, news broke that the dual would be moved to South Carroll High School. Both teams will now travel nearly 38 miles to the Sykesville, Md. location.

It will be a homecoming for Maryland wrestlers Michael Pizzuto and AJ Rodrigues as well as American’s Gage Owen, who were all state champions for the Cavaliers. Here is a random South Carroll fact: current wrestling coach Bryan Hamper once let me borrow his InterMat account to follow the sport on a long college road trip. 

American last defeated Maryland during the 2006 season. On Dec. 4, 2005, the Eagles picked up wins from Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov, Adam LoPiccolo, and Josh Glenn to take the dual 23-15. Maryland then won eight-straight duals before the series went on hiatus following the 2014 season. The two resumed their bouts during the 2022 season, and Maryland has won another three-straight matches.

This dual will take place at 6pm on Saturday evening and be the first event that streams live on InterMat’s Rokfin account. 

125: Tyler Garvin (Maryland) vs. Coen Bainey (American)

Maryland is in an interesting situation at 125 pounds. There is clearly a lot of talent and potential at the weight, but whoever ends up being the starter is likely going to need to learn on the job. Nobody really distinguished themselves at the wrestle-offs. Presden Sanchez, a Nebraska state champion, defeated fellow true freshman Abram Cline in overtime. Then, Garvin, a three-time Maryland state champion, defeated Sanchez in overtime. The two winners have split time in the first two duals of the season. Garvin got the start against Bucknell and defeated Kade Davidheiser, while Sanchez got the start against Kent State and dropped a decision against Nicol Calello. 

Bainey redshirted last season at American, but he did not wrestle. He has gotten off to a hot start this year with a pair of one-point victories. In his first collegiate match, he won a high-scoring 18-17 match over Caleb Weiand (Michigan State) and followed that up with a low-scoring 4-3 victory over Weston Pisarchick (Clarion).

At this point, Bainey deserved to be the favorite in this contest. Despite taking the year off, he has looked the part to start his first year in the American lineup. 

Prediction: Bainey decision over Garvin

133: No. 14 Braxton Brown (Maryland) vs. Shamil Kalmatov (American)

Last year’s dual against American ended up being a pretty big career moment for Brown. He was upset by the Jack Maida in what turned out to be his penultimate collegiate event at 125 pounds. Brown eventually moved up to 133 pounds and qualified for his second NCAA tournament. He has started his junior campaign with a 4-1 record that includes an impressive win over Bucknell’s No. 15 Kurt Phipps. His only defeat to date came against No. 13 Zeth Romney (Cal Poly) at the Tiger Style Invite. 

It looked like American might have had a log jam at 133 pounds this year, but now it seems like both returning NCAA qualifier Max Leete and former California state placer Raymond Lopez are going to redshirt. This has opened up a spot for Kalmatov, who has acclimated rather well to folkstyle after coming to the U.S. from Kyrgyzstan where he was an Asian Cadet bronze medalist. His hometown of Bishkek is not only the capital of Kyrgyzstan but also the birthplace of UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko.

While Kalmatov’s ability to adapt to folkstyle has been impressive, it will still be a tough match for him against Brown. The Maryland wrestler is a very tough rider and should be able to score points or perhaps even finish the match from the top position.

Prediction: Brown major decision over Kalmatov

141: Dario Lemus/Michael Pizzuto (Maryland) vs. Jack Maida (American)

The Maryland staff seems very high on Dario Lemus, so one would expect he will eventually get the nod at 141 pounds when he returns to action.  I would be willing to bet Pizzuto gets the nod here since the match is taking place in his high school gym, and he won the wrestle-off match between he and Clayton Gabrielson, 4-1, and also scored another 4-1 victory over Gabrielson at last season’s Southeast Open. (Another fun fact: when I was in first grade Gabrielson’s father, or maybe uncle, pinned me with a far-side cradle.)

After qualifying for the NCAA tournament at 133 pounds during the 2023 season, Maida dropped down to 125 last year. The size advantage paid early dividends as he knocked off Brown and Eddie Ventresca in the first month of the season. However, as the season went on, it looked like it might have been an issue. In the end, Maida defaulted out of the EIWA tournament and failed to return to the NCAA tournament. For this season, the Oceanport, N.J. native has moved all the way up to 141 pounds. In his only bout at the new weight, he scored a 6-4 decision over Michigan State’s Jaden Crumpler.

One would think Maida’s ability to control a match from the top position will be enough to defeat either redshirt freshman that the Terps send to the mat. However, the American wrestler did not necessarily light the world on fire in his 141-pound debut, so this one could be an interesting contest.

Prediction: Maida decision over Pizzuto

149: No. 26 Kal Miller (Maryland) vs. Gage Owen (American)

Back in August, Maryland was planning on keeping the elder Miller brother here at 149 pounds and moving the younger Kal up to 157 pounds. However, those plans have now changed. This Miller will continue to kick off “Miller Time!” for the third season in a row. After qualifying at 141 pounds in back-to-back seasons, the junior started his third season with a pair of decision victories over Billy Meiszner (Kent State) and Braden Bower (Bucknell). 

Owen redshirted last season for American and went 9-10. He wrestled attached in four duals and picked up a victory over Air Force’s Brooks Gable. Owen joined the starting lineup this season, but has dropped both of his matches against Michigan State’s Clayton Jones and Clarion’s Kyle Schickel. 

Miller should be able to get to his offense in this match. Even if he does not have early success, he should be able to grind the match away and pull away late.

Prediction: Miller decision over Owen

157: No. 17 Ethen Miller (Maryland) vs. Jake Nies (American)

The elder Miller brother has also bumped up after qualifying for the last two NCAA tournaments at 149 pounds. The extra size has not bothered him yet as he has gotten off to quite the hot start. He won both of his dual matches against Kent State and Bucknell before winning the Tiger Style Invite last weekend. Back in his home state of Missouri, he won the tournament with impressive victories over No. 24 Matt Bianchi (Little Rock) and No. 20 Joey Blaze (Purdue).

Nies has bounced between 149 and 157 pounds during his career, but he appears to be settled in as the starter at this weight for the Eagles after going 7-8 at the lower weight last year. Nies dropped his first match of the year against Michigan State’s Braden Stauffenberg, but bounded back with a sudden victory decision over Alejandro Herrera-Rondon of Clarion in what turned out to be the swing match in American’s 19-18 dual victory. 

Miller deserves to be a large favorite in this contest. He is the more accomplished wrestler and has the more dynamic offensive skill set. Nies might be able to keep it close since he has not given up bonus points since January 2023. However, that might be a tough task here.

Prediction: Miller major decision over Nies

165: John Martin Best/Ryan Money (Maryland) vs. Kaden Milheim (American)

I once witnessed coach Alex Clemsen compare Martin Best’s style to playing the video game Mortal Kombat. The comparison went something like this, as the game goes on, your opponent’s power meter slowly declines and eventually they are ready for the fatality. Of course, I forgot to hit the record button on my phone, so the whole thing could have been a fever dream. With that being said, it does accurately depict the wrestler’s style. Martin Best is at his best (sorry!) when he is able to physically wear on an opponent and eventually take over. He has been slowed by injuries during his career, but the potential remains. Maryland could also send out Ryan Money who is fresh off a sixth-place finish at the Tiger Style Invite. 

Milheim took his lumps last year as a true freshman and finished with a 9-10 record. However, the two-time Pennsylvania state placer has gotten off to a hot start in his second season. In his first match of the year, he upset Big Ten veteran DJ Shannon (Michigan State) and then picked up a major decision victory over John Altieri (Clarion).

It’s been a big week for the Milheim family as younger brother Cameron just signed with AU and another brother Reagan committed to the Eagles last night. 

This seems like the kind of match where Martin Best will need to impose his will physically and pull out a late win. That match could totally turn out that way, but Milheim has looked impressive to start the season and could easily score early before sitting on a lead.

Prediction: Milheim decision over Martin Best

174: Branson John/Alex Uryniak (Maryland) vs. Caleb Campos (American)

For the past three seasons, Dominic Solis has held down the 174-pound spot for the Terps, but it looks like he is planning on taking a redshirt this year. That move has opened the door for John. The true freshman took third at the California state tournament last year and has impressed so far at Maryland. He won his very first collegiate match as he took a major decision over Hunter Andel (Kent State). After last weekend’s Tiger Style Invite, he holds a 5-3 record.

Maryland also might turn to another true freshman in Alex Uryniak. The New Jersey state placewinner got his collegiate career started last week at the Tiger Style Invite, where he went 0-2. 

Campos started for the Eagles at 165 pounds as a true freshman during the 2023 season. He redshirted last year and put together an impressive 16-5 record while competing at 174 and 184 pounds. Campos returned to the starting lineup this year but the results have been tough so far. He dropped an 18-12 decision against Cesar Garza (Michigan State) and lost via fall against John Worthing (Clarion).

The American wrestler might have the edge in terms of experience, but John has shown so far as a freshman that he has all the physical tools to be successful. This one might be close, but John should be able to tough out the victory.

Prediction: John decision over Campos

184: No. 7 Jaxon Smith (Maryland) vs. Lucas White (American)

After qualifying for the last two NCAA tournaments at 197 pounds and spending a lot of time in the rankings, Smith has dropped down to 184 pounds for his junior season. As one might expect, he has been dominant against limited opposition so far this year. In his season debut, he scored a 20-3 technical fall over Trent Thomas (Kent State) and then put up a major decision over Logan Deacetis (Bucknell). If the weight cut is manageable, Smith has a more than plausible shot to reach All-American status this year. 

I recently served as a groomsman at my buddy’s wedding. In addition to ruining all of the wedding photos, I also got the chance to get to know my fellow groomsmen. It turns out one of them is actually White’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach. The coach had plenty of positive things to say about the young man. It is rather interesting that White cross-trains in the “gentle art” since his wrestling style is quite physical and bruising. After spending the last few seasons at 174 pounds, White will move up to 184.

That physical style might get White into trouble against Smith. During his collegiate career, Smith might be at his best when he is able to use his slide neutral offense against guys who try to muscle him. This advantage could be even more pronounced at a lower weight class.

Prediction: Smith major decision over White

197: Chase Mielnik (Maryland) vs. Liam Volk-Klos (American)

Mielnik has been a utility man and spot starter since transferring over to Maryland from VMI following the 2021 season. Last year, he finally got the chance to represent the squad at the Big Ten tournament. With Smith moving down to 184 pounds, Mielnik has moved up to fill the spot. He dropped his first two dual matches at the new weight, but he also went 2-1 at the Tiger Style Invite.

Volk-Klos started for American at this weight last year as a true freshman. He went 10-17 and dropped both of his matches at the EIWA tournament. In his first outing this season, Volk-Klos lost via technical fall against Michigan State’s No. 29 Remy Cotton. However, he recently got back on track with a second-period fall over Connor Jacobs of Clarion. 

This might be one of the closer contests of the dual. Mielnik has beaten the better opposition over the course of his career, but the weight change is a bit of a wild card. If he is a fully filled out 197 pounds, he should be able to score the victory here. Volk-Klos is likely happy to be avoiding Smith this year. In the last two duals against Maryland, he has been outscored 33 to five by Smith.

Prediction: Mielnik decision over Volk-Klos

285: No. 14 Seth Nevills (Maryland) vs. No. 32 William Jarrell (American)

Nevills lost a workout partner as assistant coach Devin Mellon resigned in the offseason. However, the Terps quickly filled the vacancy by adding former Rider All-American Ethan Laird. At times last year, it looked like Nevills was still working his way back after wrestling only 12 matches during the previous three seasons. However, he still qualified for his first NCAA tournament. Now Nevills looks like he’s all the way back with bonus points in four of his first five matches. 

Last season was Jarrell’s second at heavyweight and the best season of his collegiate career. He went 19-15 and picked up an upset victory over No. 9 Taye Ghadiali (Campbell), which is likely his biggest victory to date. Jarrell defeated Max Vanadia (Michigan State) to open the year, but he enters this match off a loss against Austin Chapman (Clarion) last weekend.

These two wrestled to kick off last season, and Nevills was able to win via a 6-2 score. He appears to have made strides since that match. One would expect Nevills to be able to stretch this bout into bonus territory.

Prediction: Nevills major decision over Jarrell

Dual Prediction: Maryland 25, American 9