Jan. 22, 2003
COLLEGE PARK, MD ... George Mason won four of the seven matches wrestled against Maryland Wednesday, but three forfeits cost the Patriots as the Terrapins scored a 31-17 victory in a non-conference college wrestling dual meet in the Auxiliary Gymnasium at the Comcast Center.
Maryland improved to 3-3 with the victory, while George Mason dropped its fifth consecutive meet to leave its record at 1-5.
Opening at 157 pounds, George Mason won the first two matches to take a 7-0 lead as junior Sean Early scored an 11-4 decision over Jason Kiessling and senior Richard Appau won a 10-2 major decision over Jason Ellis at 165. Maryland, however, would get a major decision at 174, a fall at 184 and a forfeit at 197 to take a 16-7 lead.
Mason cut the advantage to 16-13 as junior Sandy Ailor won by fall in 2:42 over Eric Fehnel at heavyweight, but Patriot forfeits at 125 and 141, coupled with a Terrapin victory at 133, provided Maryland with the winning margin. Junior Rob Becker, currently ranked 19th in the nation by InterMat, finished the night with a 15-2 major decision over Adam James at 149 for his ninth consecutive victory and his 20th win of the season (20-4).
George Mason hosts the CAA Duals this weekend at the Fieldhouse. All 11 Colonial Athletic Association teams will compete, with meets beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $8 per day, or $15 for a two-day pass. The Patriots (1-1 CAA) will face Sacred Heart and nationally ranked Hofstra on Friday, and they will meet Wagner, Rider and Boston University on Saturday.
MARYLAND 31, GEORGE MASON 17
157 - Sean Early (GM) dec. Jason Kiessling, 11-4
165 - Richard Appau (GM) major dec. Jason Ellis, 10-2
174 - Patrick Cissne (M) major dec. J.C. Cuffee, 11-3
184 - Jake Stork (M) wbf Nick Webster, 2:03
197 - Sal Aquia (M) forfeit
HWT - Sandy Ailor (GM) wbf Eric Fehnel, 2:42
125 - Matt Pandullo (M) forfeit
133 - Mike Lupa (M) dec. Liam DeRenzis, 4-3
141 - John-Henry Zarzycki (M) forfeit
149 - Rob Becker (GM) major dec. Adam James, 15-2
