Feb. 21, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason saw its two-match win streak snapped after Maryland slipped by the Patriots 20-19 in non-conference collegiate wrestling action Saturday afternoon at the John Linn Gymnasium. Mason led 16-13 heading into the final three contests, but was out scored 7-3 down the stretch. The Patriots fall to 4-8 on the season, while the Terrapins break their two-match losing streak and improve to 4-9 overall.

The match began with Maryland's Sean Fehn earning a decision victory at 184. Jerry Afari kept Mason off the board with a major decision win at 197. Freshman Ryan Kittrick (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Coughlin) posted Mason's first points of the afternoon with a decision at Heavyweight. Matt Padullo increased the Terrapins advantage to 13-3 with a pinfall victory at 125.

Mason took control of the contest with wins in the next three matches. Freshman David Emison (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) answered Padullo's 6-points with a forfeit win at 133. Patriot seniors Rob Becker (Mickleton, NJ/Clearview Regional) and Adrian Austin (Colonial Heights, VA/Matoaca) gained three and four points, respectively, to help push Mason into the lead at 16-13. Maryland's Jason Kiessling, however, tied the contest after a decision at 157. John Antonelli then added four more points at 165 to move the Terrapins ahead in the match, 20-16.

Junior Nick Webster (Towanda, PA/Towanda) fought valiantly to either tie or win the match for the Patriots, but Maryland's Pat Cissne did just enough to prevent Webster from gaining more than 3 points in their contest at 174, allowing the Terrapins to pull out the slim 20-19 victory.

Mason hosts Old Dominion Tuesday at 7:30 pm at the Linn Gym for its final regular season match. Maryland is off until the ACC Championships, held at Virginia on March 6.

MARYLAND  20, GEORGE MASON  19
(Rankings based on Amateur Wrestling News/InterMat)
                                                                 M-GM
184 - Sean Fehn (M) dec. Jim Martin, 4-3                         3-0
197 - Jerry Afari (M) maj dec. Harry Zander, 20-7                7-0
HWT - Ryan Kittrick (GM) dec. Barry Stein, 7-4                   7-3
125 - Matt Padullo (M) pin Ed Tan (4:00)                         13-3
133 - David Emison (GM) wins forf.                               13-9
141 - (9/10) Rob Becker (GM) dec. Jason Gribschaw, 4-3           13-12
149 - (16/14) Adrian Austin (GM) maj dec. Jerad Villecco, 11-2   13-16
157 - Jason Kiessling (M) dec. Mitch Webster, 8-2                16-16
165 - John Antonelli (M) maj dec. Sean Early, 10-2               20-16
174 - Nick Webster (GM) dec. Pat Cissne, 11-6                    20-19