Jan. 28, 2005

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason won seven of 10 bouts in defeating Duquesne 27-10 in a non-conference dual wrestling meet Friday evening at the John Linn Memorial Gymnasium. The Patriots (6-4), who have won two straight dual competitions, snapped a three-match losing streak to the Dukes (6-4) and now lead the series 6-5.

The meet began with Duquesne's Marc Allemang earning a 5-1 decision over George Mason's Ryan Kittrick (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Coughlin) at Heavyweight. Allemang remains undefeated at 11-0 in dual matches and moves to 29-6 overall.

Patriot freshman Joe Coughlin (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) continued his undefeated 125-pound dual match win streak alive with an 11-2 major decision over Jonathan Bittinger to tie the contest. Coughlin has won nine straight dual matches and is 10-0 overall in dual meets. Mason sophomore David Emison (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) pushed the advantage to 10-3 after a pinfall (1:21) victory on John Zappa at 133. Freshman Jay Chichester (Falmouth, Va./Colonial Forge) rebounded from a 0-2 deficit in his bout at 141 to claim an 8-2 decision over Keith Pavlekovsky.

Sophomores Robert Henry (Dumfries, Va./Potomac) and Mitch Webster (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) won 9-2 and 7-3 at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively, keeping Mason ahead, 19-3. Duquesne's Rob Dempsey gave the Dukes some life after snapping the Patriots string of wins with a narrow 6-5 decision over Mason freshman Randy Oates (Owings, Md./Northern) at 165. It didn't take long for the Patriots to recover as senior Nick Webster (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) clinched the match for Mason with a 5-2 decision at 174.

Jared Ricotta scored a 14-2 major decision for the Dukes at 184, as Mason led 22-10. Patriot sophomore Harry Zander (National Park, N.J./Gateway Regional) ended the night at 197 with a 19-4 technical fall victory.

The Patriots host Colonial Athletic Association foe Drexel, Saturday at 4 p.m. at the John Linn Gymnasium.

GEORGE MASON 27,  DUQUESNE 10
                                                                   H-V
HWT - Marc Allemang (D) dec. Ryan Kittrick, 5-1                    0-3
125 - Joe Coughlin (GM) maj. dec. Jonathan Bittinger, 11-2         4-3
133 - David Emison (GM) pin John Zappa, 1:21                      10-3
141 - Jay Chichester (GM) dec. Keith Pavlekovsky, 8-2             13-3
149 - Robert Henry (GM) dec. Dan Pauley, 9-2                      16-3
157 - Mitch Webster (GM) dec. Jon Denk, 7-3                       19-3
169 - Rob Dempsey (D) dec. Randy Oates, 6-5                       19-6
174 - Nick Webster (GM) dec. Mark Himes, 5-2                      22-6
184 - Jared Ricotta (D) maj. dec. Mike Eastman, 14-2              22-10
197 - Harry Zander (GM) tech. fall Zack Hawk, 19-4 (5:09)         27-10