Maryland wrestling stuns Michigan 19-18, earns first Top 10 win since 2009

Maryland stunned No. 10 Michigan Friday night as Big Ten wrestling duals were underway in the month of January, earning the Terrapins their first top 10 win since 2009. 

In the 19-18 victory, Maryland won four of five bouts in the middle of the meet to get in position for the win. At 133 pounds, Maryland’s Braxton Brown pinned Nolan Wertanen to give the Terps a 6-4 lead after two matches.

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That would prove to be key later on as it had to be decided on criteria.

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— Maryland Wrestling (@TerpsWrestling) January 11, 2025

“Really proud of the effort our program put on display last night,” head coach Alex Clemsen said. “Thankful for all the sacrifice from so many that have had faith in our kids and our vision. The perseverance of this group was really evident up and down the line up. Grateful to be a part of it.”

Michigan’s Sergio Lemley got the Wolverines back on track with a 6-3 victory but it was Maryland who turned up the heat in the middle.

Kal Miller notched a minor upset with a 4-3 win over Dylan Gilcher and then Ethen Miller knocked off Chase Saldate to give the Terrapins a 12-7 lead halfway through the dual.

Following a win for Beau Mantanona, Maryland won two more in a row with Branson John upsetting Michigan’s Joe Walker 5-4 and Jaxon Smith getting a last second takedown to beat Jaden Bullock at 184 pounds.

Despite a tech fall win from Jacob Cardenas at 197, Michigan still needed bonus points at heavyweight to win the dual.

Josh Heindselman beat Maryland’s Seth Nevills 4-2 and while it was a solid individual victory, the Terrapins won on criteria. Since each team won five individual bouts, it went by who had more pins.

Sure enough, Brown’s pin at 133 was the difference maker. Maryland improved to 6-5 and 1-0 in the Big Ten while Michigan fell to 3-1 (1-1).

Full results: Maryland 19, Michigan 18

125 — Christian Tanefeu (U-M) major dec. Tyler Garvin, 12-4 — U-M, 4-0
133 — #14 Braxton Brown (UMD) pinned Nolan Wertanen, 5:45 — UMD, 6-4
141 — #12 Sergio Lemley (U-M) dec. Dario Lemus, 6-3 — U-M, 7-6
149 — #29 Kal Miller (UMD) dec. #28 Dylan Gilcher, 4-3 — UMD, 9-7
157 — #6 Ethen Miller (UMD) dec. #16 Chase Saldate, 4-2 — UMD, 12-7
165 — Beau Mantanona (U-M) dec. Alex Uryniak, 6-4 — UMD, 12-10
174 — Branson John (UMN) dec. #25 Joseph Walker, 5-4 — UMD, 15-10
184 — #13 Jaxon Smith (UMD) dec. #19 Jaden Bullock, 4-1 — UMD, 18-10
197 — #3 Jacob Cardenas (U-M) tech. fall Chase Mielnik, 15-0 (4:54) — UMD, 18-15
285 — #12 Josh Heindselman (U-M) dec. #13 Seth Nevills, 4-2 — Tie, 18-18*