Sept. 13, 2004
FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason head coach Brian Shaffer has announced a "new look" as part of the recently released 2004-05 Patriot wrestling schedule. Mason's schedule features several outstanding early season tournaments and offers the third annual Colonial Athletic Association Duals hosted by Mason.
"We're really pleased with our schedule this season," expressed Shaffer, who enters his 10th season with the Patriots and owns a 61-53 mark (87-73-1 in 12 years overall). "We're trying some new things this year with the dates and early season tournaments, and there are some new opponents on the schedule to allow us to see different competition. There are a couple of dual meets in the first semester, and we haven't had that in a while. These contests will be a good test to see how good this young team can be."
The Patriots open their season on Nov. 20 at the Navy Classic, before sending a few wrestlers to the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 3-4. On Dec. 11, Mason visits Slippery Rock, Pa. for dual matches against Eastern Michigan, Mercyhurst and Slippery Rock as part of the Slippery Rock Duals. A pre New Year's Eve trip down south has Mason competing in the Southern Scuffle at UNC Greensboro on Dec. 29-30 to finish off 2004.
The New Year begins on Jan. 8 at the Va. Intercollegiate State Championships, which is hosted by Virginia. Following the Championships, Mason heads into a full slate of dual matches, starting on Jan. 14 at Virginia Military Institute. Contests against CAA opponents James Madison (Jan. 15), Drexel (Jan. 29) and Old Dominion (Feb. 20) highlight the Patriots dual meet schedule, while the CAA Duals take place Jan. 21-22 at George Mason's Recreation Sports Complex (Fieldhouse). Other great contests include home meets versus Duquesne (Jan. 28) and American (Feb. 4) and a match at Maryland (Feb. 18).
The Colonial Athletic Association Championships is slated for Mar. 4-5 and the NCAA Championships is set for Mar. 17-19.
George Mason returns 12 letterwinners and six starters from last year's 4-9 team (3-5 CAA). Mason finished fourth at the CAA Championships, earning 59.5 points, and placed in a tie for 60th at the NCAA Championships.
For more information on the Patriots, 2004-05 schedule, please visit the George Mason web site at goMason.com.
