Feb. 6, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason lost to Colonial Athletic Association foe Campbell for the first time in 13 meetings, dropping a 26-22 dual wrestling meet Friday evening at the John Linn Gymnasium. The Camels ripped off 15 points in three of the final four matches to pull out the win.

The loss is the third in a row for the Patriots who drop to 2-6 on the season (2-4 CAA), while the Camels win their second match of the year, improving to 2-10 overall and 2-4 in the league.

"We just didn't have the intensity tonight," said George Mason head coach Brian Shaffer. "Our focus wasn't there and we didn't come to wrestle. This team is going to have to take a really hard look at itself and get ready for Sunday [vs. Virginia]."

The meet began with senior Adrian Austin (Colonial Heights, VA/Matoaca), who is ranked 17th in the nation by InterMat, posting an 18-4 technical fall at 149, extending his dual match win streak to eight in a row and his competition streak to 11 consecutive victories. Mason pushed the lead to 9-0 following freshman Mitch Webster's (Towanda, PA/Towanda) 16-5 major decision at 157.

Consecutive Campbell victories from juniors Brian Hocum at 174 and Lantz Nixon at 184 trimmed the Patriot advantage to 13-11. But, Mason freshman Harry Zander (National Park, NJ/Gateway Regional) gave the Patriots some breathing room with a pinfall win at 197.

Campbell took control late into the match, reeling off 15 straight points behind wins from Heavyweight Dennis Campbell (3-1 dec.), a forfeit victory at 125 for Andy Bricker, and a pinfall win from Jordan Henning at 133, to claim the lead in the meet at 26-19. George Mason senior Rob Becker (Mickleton, NJ/Clearview Regional), who is ranked 10th nationally by InterMat, recorded an 8-3 decision in the final match to make the score 26-22 in favor of Campbell.

The Patriots host Virginia Sunday at 1 p.m. in the John Linn Gymnasium.

CAMPBELL 26, GEORGE MASON 22
                                                                            H-V
149 - (--/17) Adrian Austin (GM) tech. fall Elliot Berger                   5-0
157 - Mitch Webster (GM) maj. dec. Jeff Lyons, 16-5                         9-0
165 - Matt Horton (GM) maj. dec. Josh Kalafchi, 12-3                        13-0
174 - Brian Hocum (CU) pin Sean Early (1:55)                                13-6
184 - Lance Nixon (CU) tech. fall Jim Martin, 16-0                          13-11
197 - Harry Zander (GM) pin Mark Averell (1:15)                             19-11
HWT - Dennis Campbell (CU) dec. Ryan Kittrick, 3-1                          19-14
125 - Andy Bricker(CU) wins forf.                                           19-20
133 - Jordan Henning (CU) pin David Emison (1:10)                           19-26
141 - (9/10)Rob Becker (GM) dec. Adam Bricker, 8-3                          22-26