In Maryland wrestling’s season opener on Nov. 2, Branson John impressed.
The sophomore cruised through the competition despite jumping two weight classes, winning all of his bouts by at least seven points.
While John didn’t achieve the same level of success on Sunday, he claimed a second consecutive first-place finish at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It improved his season record to 7-0 and was one of three top finishes for the Terps.
Branson John continues torrid start
At the Southeast Open on Nov. 2, John was impossible to miss. The new 197-pounder not only flashed lopsided wins, but toppled two ranked opponents — one via major decision.
His performance launched him to No. 22 on Flowrestling’s 197-pound rankings. He continued his strong play Sunday.
John secured his first bout by major decision, but faced his toughest opponent in the early season in the following round robin round — Navy’s No. 17 Payton Thomas. John accrued most of his points in his prior five bouts by taking advantage of early opportunities to secure takedowns and put his opponents in a quick and early deficit.
He employed a similar strategy against Thomas, but struggled to notch takedowns. Despite multiple body slams to the mat, Thomas continuously kept his hips up to prevent his lower half from falling to the ground. The result left John frustrated as he trailed to begin the third period for the first time all season.
An early escape point and a riding time point from John forced a sudden victory, where John found similar frustration in securing a takedown. From the sidelines, coach Alex Clemsen encouraged John to “stick with it.”
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John did that — recording a bout-winning takedown with 28 seconds remaining, which improved him to 3-0 against ranked opponents this season.
Jaxon Smith begins season with championship
Last weekend the Terps were without No. 5 184-pounder Jaxon Smith due to his participation the night prior at the NWCA All-Star Classic.
The redshirt senior struggled in that bout as No. 7 Zack Ryder used his strength and explosiveness to overpower Smith at certain points.
But Smith looked more like his All-American self from the season, cruising through two round robin contests via major decision.
Smith saw much steeper competition in the finals. Instead of unranked opponents, Smith faced No. 16 James Conway from Franklin and Marshall.
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Smith’s difference in approach was noticeable. Instead of using early period take downs to build a sizable lead, he used the first period to feel out Conway. Smith attacked in the subsequent periods, notching a late-period takedown in both the second and third periods to claim a 7-4 win.
Maryland sees improved play from 157-pound class
Sophomore Mekhi Neal was the other Maryland first-place finisher Sunday.
The Terps entered the season with a gaping hole at the weight class with the transfer of three-time NCAA Qualifier Ethen Miller to Virginia Tech.
Maryland only started freshman Garrett Reece at the position at the Southeast Open. Reece struggled in the freshman/sophomore division, dropping his two contests.
The Terps elected to start Neal on Sunday, who Clemsen hinted may start in duals for the Terps in the preseason.
The sophomore provided immediate results for the Terps, winning his first bout by technical fall in just 85 seconds. Neal’s bout didn’t prove to be much more difficult than his first, winning his second contest by an 11-5 decision and holding an 11-4 lead until a takedown in the final seconds of the third period against Navy’s Charlie Evans to solidify a first-place finish.
