Dec. 24, 2003

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason University senior wrestlers Rob Becker (Mickleton, NJ/Clearview Regional) and Adrian Austin (Colonial Heights, VA/Matoaca) both are listed among the pre-tournament seeds announced recently for the upcoming Midlands Championships. Official seeds will be announced Dec. 28.

The Midlands Championships are held annually at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and features many of the top collegiate and amateur wrestlers in the nation. The 41st edition of the event is scheduled for Dec. 29-30 at Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Becker will make his first appearance at Midlands as the No. 9 seed at 141 pounds. He brings a 13-2 overall record and a national ranking of ninth by Amateur Wrestling News and 12th by InterMat into this year's tournament. He placed second at the Beast of the East Invitational Dec. 19, reaching the final before falling to the top seed and No. 2 ranked wrestler in the nation in Scott Moore. Becker won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational Dec. 5-6 by defeating three ranked opponents en route to the crown. He was chosen the Colonial Athletic Association Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 9.

Austin is seeded eighth at 149 pounds and brings a 13-4 overall record into his first appearance at Midlands. He placed second at the East Stroudsburg Open Nov. 22 and won the Beast of the East College Invitational Dec. 19. Austin was named Co-CAA Wrestler of the Week, Dec. 23.