Wrestling heads to No. 4 Cornell for tough early test

As the team's starter at 125 pounds, Terrapin wrestler James Knox will be the first to step on the mat when the Terps face No. 4 Cornell today. He will be charged with setting the tone in a match where victory would be an important step for a program still trying to gain respect on a national level.

But it won't be easy.

Lining up opposite of Knox will be Cornell's Troy Nickerson, the No. 1 wrestler in his weight class and the defending national champion after finishing last season undefeated. Knox, meanwhile, has seen action in the starting lineup in his first four years, but didn't become a full-time starter until this season.

It would be easy for the senior to have a little extra excitement while looking ahead to what should be a pivotal match in front of what should be a raucous crowd in Ithaca, N.Y. But ask Knox — who not only thinks he has a chance to win, but expects to win — and today's match is just like any other.

"To be honest, I couldn't even tell you where anyone is ranked. I really just focus on myself and my own preparation," Knox said. "I have nothing to lose in this match. I am going to wrestle him the same way I have wrestled everyone else and see what happens."

Knox's attitude embodies the way the team has prepared for one of the bigger matches in program history. Coach Kerry McCoy has stressed from the beginning of the season the team would focus on its own preparation first and foremost. McCoy has spent parts of practice joking with his team, wondering whether they even realize they are facing the No. 4 team in the nation. But at the same time, neither he nor his wrestlers will deny the impact a victory against the Big Red would have for the season and the program.

With a schedule made up by previous coach Pat Santoro, the team faced a number of top-ranked programs last year, including Iowa and Missouri. But the Terps were soundly beaten in each performance.

Instead of taking the competition level down a notch, McCoy created a schedule that is very comparable to last season's. The big difference this season is the Terps have a veteran and talented roster.

The Terps received their highest preseason ranking ever and are widely considered one of the better East Coast programs. But they still have yet to find that signature win that could legitimize their lofty ranking — or even put them in the conversation of national title contenders.

Cornell has a number of former All-Americans, but most of them will be paired with their All-American counterparts from College Park. The key will be whether Knox and the rest of his less-heralded teammates can step up to the challenge, something their coach believes they can do.

"This match is just a stepping stone to the NCAA tournament, but it would still be huge for this team and this program," McCoy said. "I have always said anything can happen in wrestling on any given day, and our guys have been working hard this week so I see no reason why we can't win."

lemaire@umdbk.com