Jan. 10, 2003

BUIES CREEK, NC ... Sophomore Aaron Suranofsky won by fall in the final match of the meet to lift George Mason to a 21-20 victory over host Campbell in a Colonial Athletic Association wrestling dual meet Friday afternoon at Carter Gymnasium.

George Mason improved to 1-0 overall and in the CAA as it opened its 2002-03 dual meet season, while Campbell fell to 1-2, 0-1 in the CAA.

Suranofsky's victory at 133 pounds over Campbell sophomore Luke Francis in 5:22 enabled the Patriots to improve their all-time record in CAA dual meets to 45-10. He and three other teammates each wrestled above their certified weight class as George Mason head coach Brian Shaffer shifted people to gain the best match-ups.

Shaffer's moves paid off in three of the four matches in which wrestlers moved up. In addition to Suranofsky's victory, sophomore P.J. Ross and junior Nick Webster each won decisions at 184 and 197, respectively. Ross scored a 13-9 decision over Campbell sophomore Brian Hocum, while Webster took a 6-1 decision from Josh McConnell.

Opening at 141 pounds, Campbell took a 5-0 lead as junior Adam Bricker won by technical fall over George Mason freshman Octavis Jones (22-6 in 6:33). But Patriot junior Rob Becker won by fall in 24 seconds over freshman Elliot Berger at 149 and senior Richard Appau scored an 8-2 decision over sophomore Vic Arena at 157 for a 9-5 Mason advantage.

The Camels won decisions at the next two weight classes to regain the lead at 11-9. Freshman Adam Rees defeated Patriot sophomore J.C. Cuffee, 11-5, at 165 and sophomore Jon Carlisle defeated junior Sean Early (wrestling up two classes) at 174, 12-5.

The wins by Ross and Webster put Mason back in front at 15-11, but junior Sandy Ailor lost an 8-2 decision to Campbell sophomore Steve Cashman at heavyweight. A forfeit at 125 left the Patriots with a 20-15 deficit heading into the final match before Suranofsky's heroics.

George Mason competes at the N.C. State Duals in Raleigh, NC, Saturday. The Patriots meet CAA foe Binghamton at 1:30 p.m., then they face Duke at 3 p.m. and Franklin & Marshall at 6 p.m.

George Mason 21, Campbell 20
141 - Adam Bricker (C) tf Octavis Jones, 22-6 (6:33)
149 - Rob Becker (GM) wbf Elliot Berger, 0:24
157 - Richard Appau (GM) dec. Vic Arena, 8-2
165 - Adam Rees (C) dec. J.C. Cuffee, 11-5
174 - Jon Carlisle (C) dec. Sean Early, 12-5
184 - P.J. Ross (GM) dec. Brian Hocum, 13-9
197 - Nick Webster (GM) dec. Josh McConnell, 6-1
Hwt - Steve Cashman (C)dec. Sandy Ailor, 8-2
125 - Andy Bricker (C) won by forfeit
133 - Aaron Suranofsky (GM) wbf Luke Francis, 5:22
* - Meet began at this weight class