Oct. 9, 2007

2007-08 Preseason CAA All-Freshman Team in PDF Format
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2007-08 Preseason Rankings in PDF Format
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LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - The Colonial Athletic Association announced its preseason All-Freshman Team on Tuesday, with George Mason's highly touted recruit Cayle Byers selected to be the conference's standout rookie at the 197-pound weight class.

Byers, who attended Chugiak High School in Chugiak, Alaska, was a major reason the Patriots' 2007-08 recruiting class was ranked 29th in the nation by InterMat. He posted four top-five finishes at the Alaska State Championships during his career, placing second as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore and first during his junior and senior years. Following his senior season, Byers was ranked No. 6 by InterMat, No. 10 by Amateur Wrestling News and No. 13 by W.I.N. at 189 pounds.

In addition to the All-Freshman Team, the CAA also announced its preseason rankings. George Mason was selected to finish seventh in the conference as a team. Six-time defending champion Hofstra was selected to defend its title, with Rider and Old Dominion selected to finish second and third, respectively.

The Patriots had wrestlers ranked in eight of the 10 weight classes. Sophomore Brian Wright was ranked fourth at 125 pounds, redshirt junior Will Powars and senior Joe Coughlin were both selected sixth at 133 pounds, freshman Frankie McLaughlin was sixth at 157 pounds, redshirt junior Tyler Tisdell was fifth at 165 pounds, senior Randy Oates was fourth at 174 pounds, sophomore Bill Widener was sixth at 184 pounds, Byers was fifth at 197 pounds and redshirt senior Harry Zander was second at the heavyweight class.

Mason begins the 2007-08 wrestling season with a dual meet at The Citadel on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m.