Feb. 24, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason dropped a 20-13 decision to Colonial Athletic Association foe Old Dominion on "Senior Night" Tuesday evening at the John Linn Gymnasium. The event was the final meet of the season for both teams, as the Patriots fall to 4-9 overall (3-5 CAA), and the Monarchs improve to 6-12 (5-3 CAA). Prior to the match, George Mason honored its four senior wrestlers, Sandy Ailor, Rob Becker, Adrian Austin and Sean Early.

"I'm extremely proud of our seniors and the effort and determination they've shown throughout the years for our program," expressed head coach Brian Shaffer. "Even though this was the last regular season match, there is still a lot of work to do as we must now prepare for the CAA Championships."

The meet began at a very competitive 125 match that witnessed Old Dominion's Jared Smith win a narrow 8-7 decision, giving the Monarchs a 3-0 lead. Both teams forfeited at 133, allowing the Patriots' David Emison (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) to move up one weight class. Emison's season's worth of experience proved valuable as the freshman won at 141 for the first time in his young career. Senior Adrian Austin (Colonial Heights, VA/Matoaca) continued his stellar season with his 16th consecutive victory at 149, giving Mason a 7-3 lead.

Old Dominion rallied back with three consecutive decisions from Jesse Pearce, John Adams and Matt Ulrey at 157, 165, and 174, respectively, to stake a 12-7 advantage. But, junior Nick Webster (Towanda, PA/Towanda) put Mason on top, 13-12, with a pin at 184. The Monarchs' Adam Wright quickly answered back with a technical fall at 197, giving ODU a four-point lead, 17-13, heading into the final match, which was won by ODU's Derrell Lorthridge.

George Mason, which concludes its regular dual meet season, will now head to the CAA Championships being held at Rider University on Friday and Saturday, March 5-6.

OLD DOMINION  20, GEORGE MASON 13
(Rankings based on Amateur Wrestling News/InterMat)
                                                                     OD-GM
125 - Jared Smith (OD) dec. Ed Tan, 8-7                              3-0
133 - Forf.
141 - David Emison (GM) dec. Mike Davis, 11-6                        3-3
149 - (16/14) Adrian Austin (GM) maj dec Dennis Whitby, 11-2         3-7
157 - Jesse Pearce (OD) dec. Mitch Webster, 8-1                      6-7
165 - John Adams (OD) dec. Matt Horton, 11-8                         9-7
174 - Matt Ulrey (OD) dec. Sean Early, 4-3                           12-7
184 - Nick Webster (GM) pin Rob Gosnell (1:00)                       12-13
197 - Adam Wright (OD) tech fall Harry Zander, 19-4                  17-13
HWT - Derrell Lorthridge (OD) dec Ryan Kittrick, 6-4                 20-13