MM 1.17: Maryland’s Jaxon Smith named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

This is a Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

Maryland’s Jaxon Smith was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career, the conference announced Thursday.

Smith went 2-0 in Michigan last weekend, knocking off No. 19 Jaden Bullock (Michigan), 4-1, before taking just 1:17 to pin his opponent from Michigan State.

Smith’s performances played a pivotal role in securing 19-18 and 27-11 victories against the Wolverines and Spartans, respectively. These wins not only marked the Terps’ first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2009, but also achieved the program’s first-ever 2-0 start in Big Ten play.

In other news

Maryland men’s basketball fell at Northwestern in overtime Thursday, 76-74. Ryan Alonardo had the game story.

Maryland track & field is back in action this weekend for the Nittany Lion Challenge at Penn State.