Nov. 3, 2007

CHARLESTON, S.C. - After falling behind 9-3 in its season-opening dual meet against The Citadel at McAlister Field House in Charleston, S.C., the George Mason wrestling team took four of the final six matches to score a 20-18 victory over the Bulldogs.

George Mason was the first to get on the board with a 17-11 decision over The Citadel freshman Paul Sanford at the 125-pound weight class. Sanford was the first to score offensively but freshman Denny Herndon came from behind in the second period to pull ahead.

The Bulldogs tied the match early with a 6-2 decision by Mike Fenton over freshman Ryan Watson. The Citadel went on to take the next two matches at 141 and 149 pounds to take a 9-3 lead in the dual meet.

Freshman Frankie McLaughlin won a major decision at 157 pounds for his first collegiate victory to begin the Patriots' comeback. After a loss at 165 pounds, George Mason went on to win the next three matches of the dual to take a 20-12 lead over The Citadel. The pivotal match in the dual turned out to be at 197 pounds as freshman Cayle Byers won a close 2-1 decision over The Citadel's John Buck. At the heavyweight class, The Citadel's Aaron Brown added six points to the Bulldogs team score, but it was not enough to overtake the Patriots.

Fresh off its season-opening victory, George Mason will compete in The Citadel Open on Sunday, Nov. 4 at the McAlister Field House in Charleston, S.C.

George Mason 20, The Citadel 18
125: Denny Herndon (Mason) dec. Paul Sanford (Cit), 17-11; Mason leads 3-0
133: Mike Fenton (Cit) dec. Ryan Watson (Mason), 6-2; Tied 3-3
141: Michael Arias (Cit) dec. Brandon Bucher (Mason), 4-3; The Citadel leads 6-3
149: Derek Royster (Cit) dec. Will Powars (Mason), 7-6; The Citadel leads 9-3
157: Frankie McLaughlin (Mason) maj. dec. Keith Koziel (Cit), 23-10; The Citadel leads 9-7
165: Brendan Prince (Cit) dec. Greg Scott (Mason), 10-6; The Citadel leads 12-7
174: Randy Oates (Mason) maj. dec. Derek Sickel (Cit), 10-2; The Citadel leads 12-11
184: Bill Widener (Mason) fall Joe DeLisle (Cit), at 3:41; Mason leads 17-12
197: Cayle Byers (Mason) dec. John Buck (Cit), 2-1(tb1); Mason leads 20-12
HWT: Aaron Brown (Cit) inj. def. Harry Zander (Mason), at 5:27; Mason leads 20-18