Feb. 17, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - With a 37-12 thrashing of the Delaware State Hornets on Sunday afternoon at the Fieldhouse, the George Mason wrestling team earned its 13th victory of the season, matching its highest win total since the 1991-92 season, when the Patriots won their first of five CAA titles. Mason has now won its past four meets and six of its past seven.

The Patriots jumped out to a commanding 18-0 lead behind a pair of forfeits and a first-period fall at 133 pounds by senior Joe Coughlin. It was Coughlin's seventh fall of the season.

Freshman Cayle Byers earned his team-leading 33rd win of the year at 197 pounds with a commanding 14-4 major decision over Shawn Nowrey. Byers, the reigning CAA Co-Rookie of the Week, is currently ranked 12th by InterMat and 20th by Amateur Wrestling News.

The meet ended with an exciting battle at the heavyweight class between senior Harry Zander and Delaware State's Eric Sewell. Trailing by a point, Zander scored a takedown in the final period to come away with a 5-4 win.

George Mason wrestles in its final dual meet of the season against Maryland on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. at the Fieldhouse.

George Mason 37 Delaware State 12
125: Brian Wright (Mason) wins by forf., 6-0 Mason
133: Joe Coughlin (Mason) fall Kelvin Watford (DSU), 2:26, 12-0 Mason
141: William Powars (Mason) wins by forf., 18-0 Mason
149: Matt Cathell (DSU) fall Brandon Bucher (Mason), 5:41, 18-6 Mason
157: Frankie McLaughlin IV (Mason) wins by forf., 24-6 Mason
165: Brandon Gardner (DSU) dec. Tyler Tisdell (Mason), 6-4 (SV), 24-9 Mason
174: Kyle Skinner (DSU) dec. Greg Scott (Mason), 5-0, 24-12 Mason
184: Bill Widener (Mason) wins by forf., 30-12 Mason
197: Cayle Byers (Mason) maj. dec. Shawn Nowrey (DSU), 14-4, 34-12 Mason
285: Harry Zander (Mason) dec. Eric Sewell (DSU), 5-4, 37-12 Mason