In the first month of the season, throughout seven duals matches and two invitational tournaments, the Terrapin wrestling team has been pitted against dozens of the nation's top schools.
And in that time, 165-pound Josh Asper hasn't lost once.
"When I get in the room, I work hard," said Asper, who is 15-0 this year. "I believe in myself, and I have confidence, which has helped me a lot this year."
Asper hopes to continue his streak tomorrow, when the No. 29 Terps travel to Hofstra to face the No. 18 Pride in a duals match. The Pride will offer some of the toughest competition the Terps have seen this season, bringing six nationally ranked wrestlers to the mat.
The Terps do have talent to match, however. Along with Asper, who is ranked No. 3 in the country, 174-pound Mike Letts comes into tomorrow's match at No. 9 nationally. With two ranked wrestlers and confidence in the rest of his team's ability, coach Kerry McCoy said he likes how his Terps match up with the Pride.
"On paper, they're favored in four matches, we're favored in four matches, and two matches are a toss-up," McCoy said. "We're on the road, we're the visiting team. If we can outperform the home team, we'll do well."
On a Terp team that lacks the star power of years past, Asper continuing his hot start could be vital for the Terps in their toughest nonconference duals match yet this season.
"He's a guy who goes out there and sets the tone," McCoy said. "It's really a total team effort, but he's definitely one of the highlights and spotlights for our program."
But Asper has his sights set on a bigger goal than just Hofstra tomorrow. The Terps' ultimate objectives are always the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, and Asper understands each match is just a stepping stone to those destinations.
"I expect a win. That's what everybody should be expecting," Asper said. "Keep in mind about the goal at the end of the year and not lose sight of that because it's a really long season."
With classes coming to a close today and finals week fast approaching, McCoy understands players may have other things on their minds entering this weekend's match. But with the semester coming to an end, McCoy believes this match is one of the Terps' most significant.
"The most important thing is to focus on finishing strong," McCoy said. "This is the last competition of the semester, so they have to focus on giving on their best."
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