The 2011-12 season for Mason wrestling will have a much different look this season.  The changes begin at the top with a brand new coaching staff leading the program.  Head Coach Joe Russell takes over the program after assisting at University of Minnesota for 17 years, the last four of which he was a head assistant coach.  In his time at Minnesota, Russell assisted in coaching three NCAA championship teams, 11 individual national champions, six Big Ten title teams, 31 individual conference champions and 84 All-America honorees.  One of Russell's first moves as head coach of the Patriots was to hire Assistant Coach Tommy Owen to his staff.  Owen, a former wrestler under Russell at Minnesota before transferring to Boise State, brings a plethora of playing and coaching experience to the position.  After finishing his wrestling career at Boise State, Owen took over as an assistant coach for the Broncos.  Last year, Owen was a head coach on the high school level at Central Valley High School in Spokane Valley, Washington and was named the Washington 4A Region 4 Coach of the Year for the 2010-2011 season.

Russell and Owen will be working to change the wrestling culture at Mason.  These efforts will begin with the 18 newcomers to the team this season.  "Last year there were a lot of injuries that negatively affected the team," said Russell.  "We expect these guys to give us their best effort and have a great attitude.  As long as they are doing that in the practice room, in the classroom and in life, then they will have success."  Last year Mason finished 0-21 but Owen has made it clear throughout offseason workouts that the team can definitely compete.  "We have talent on this team," said Owen.  "Some of our guys were hurt and some of them were redshirted, so the key is to inch forward, get a little bit better every day and have everyone stay healthy.  From there we want to have the goals of winning the conference and sending guys to the national tournament."  The players are going to be challenged this season with a very demanding schedule, three of the seven home duals this year will be against teams ranked in the top 10 in the nation (American at number 7 and Central Michigan and University of Maryland tied for 10^th).  "We have a schedule that could be wrestled by a top 10 or 15 team in the country," said Owen.  Despite the tough schedule and the adjustments the wrestlers must make to their new coaches, Russell is looking for steady improvements through attitude and hard work.  "There is a lot of change in our program right now.  If we embrace that change as a positive we can do some really good things this year," concluded Russell.  "We're hoping the guys believe in the system and believe we're headed in the right direction."

The following is a roster breakdown by weight class and notes on who figures to compete for each starting spot:

125 Pounds:

The strong favorite in the 125 pound weight class this year will be true freshman Vincent Rodriguez from Fresno, California.   He won two national championships in high school for the National High School Coaches Association and was also an All-American in his senior season.  "Like all true freshmen, his development will grow throughout the year, we are definitely very excited about his potential," said Russell.  He will be challenged by junior transfer Chris Rodriguez and freshman Zachary Isenhour who is also considering competing at 133 pounds.

133 Pounds:

Senior Brian Benton will look to lead the 133 pound weight class this season.  Despite finishing last season 1-4 overall, the coaches are expecting him to put it all together in his senior year.  "He's a guy with a lot of potential," said Russell.  "We're expecting him to come on strong his senior season and finish his career on top."  Junior Richard Lavorato and freshman Zach Isenhour will look to challenge Benton and keep him at the top of his game.  

141 Pounds:

Redshirt senior Denny Herndon III, one of the co-captains of the team will lead Mason in the 141 pound weight class this year.  Herndon finished last season with an overall record of 9-15 last season while battling through injuries.  "Denny is definitely the leader of this team," remarked Russell.  "You can see him with the guys and he just takes control of the group and has shown great leadership skills this fall."  Herndon has been impressive in the weight room throughout offseason training and Owen believes he "has all the tools necessary to be an All-American in his final year."  Sophomore Ryan Hunsberger and freshman Daniel Pak will both plan on redshirting this year.  Transfer Drew Squires will look to make his mark as well.

149 Pounds:

Coach Russell believes this to be Mason's most open weight heading in to the season and the staff plans to let the early tournaments decide who will be the starter for the rest of the season.  Junior Shohei Takagi has the most experience of the student-athletes competing for the spot and is the returning starter in the weight class.  Takagi was 9-24 overall last season but 2-1 in CAA competitions.  "He has the ability to put people to their back," said Owen.  "He can throw people, catch people at any time and has really good, heavy hips."

Also competing at 149 is freshman Greg Flournoy who "has a great attitude and makes it easy to tell that he wants to wrestle this year," according to Owen.  Fellow freshman Mike Bakuckas is also in very strong contention to earn the job.  "Bakuckas is an extremely hard worker who is always in front in the running and training drills we do," reflected Owen.  Both freshmen will undoubtedly push Takagi all season long for playing time. 

Returning redshirt sophomore Kevin Timothy will also compete for time in this weight class, while freshman Matt Stull plans to redshirt.

157 Pounds:

Returning junior conference place winner Jaaziah Bethea will lead the group of 157 pound wrestlers for Mason this year.  "Bethea has proved to be one of the best guys in the conference and now we want him to prove to be one of the best guys in the country," stated Russell.  Bethea led the team in conference wins last season with five and also placed fourth in the CAA tournament in the 157 pound weight class.  "He can take anybody down at any time," added Owen.  "It's just a matter of getting him to believe he can do it for seven minutes."  Freshmen DJ Dwyer and Matthew Huffstickler will battle it out behind Bethea this season.

165 Pounds:

Junior Ty Knepp has been dominant on the mat in the offseason and will look to lock up the 165 pound weight class.  Seth Robertson is a sophomore that will also be competing for time this season.  "He got some experience in his freshman year and it looks like he will keep improving," said Russell.

174 Pounds:

Frankie McLaughlin IV, the other redshirt senior co-captain, will be the leader in the 174 pound weight class.  "Frankie is definitely a guy that should expect to see himself on the award stand at the end of the year," stated Russell.  "He definitely has all the tools to get it done."  McLaughlin will be moving up a weight class this year and use his agility and explosiveness to help him with the adjustment.  Freshman Steve Swayze will also look to gain experience in the 174 pound weight class this season.  Fellow freshman Kenton Perez will look to redshirt this season.

184 Pounds:

Promising true freshman Ryan Hembury looks to be in control of the 184 pound weight class so far this year.  Hembury, along with Vince Rodriguez, were preseason named to the All-CAA Freshman Team.  Hembury enters his freshman campaign after winning a state championship in his senior year of high school.   "Anytime you win a state championship in Pennsylvania, you're a guy to be reckoned with nationally," reflected Russell.  "As a coach, you can be a little bit hesitant to put a true freshman out there sometimes, but he looks like a guy who can handle it physically and mentally."  Redshirt freshman Derek Dwyer and freshman Corey Smith will also compete at this weight class.

197 Pounds:

Two-time National Qualifier, senior Mendbagana Tovuujav will wrestle exclusively at 197 this year after splitting time in 2010 between the 184 and 197 pound weight classes.  "He has a great arsenal of techniques," said Russell.  "It will be hard for people to stay with him this year."  Tovuujav's biggest problem over the last few years has been his struggle with injuries.  The coaches believe that if he is able to stay healthy, he could very likely see himself on the award stand at the end of the year.  "He's got as much talent as anybody in the nation," added Owen.  "Anytime you have been seeded in the top 10 at the national tournament, you're a high end talent at any weight."  Sophomore Alexander Stanley will also see time at 197.

Heavyweight:

Redshirt junior Adam Barnette did not compete last year but looks to take control of this weight class in 2011.  Barnette was heavily recruited out of high school and spent his redshirt year at the powerhouse University of Oklahoma wrestling program.  The coaches feel that Barnette has rededicated himself to the sport and is looking to establish himself as a dominant heavyweight.  "He's a real big heavyweight and that is a huge advantage," said Russell.  He will be pushed this year by senior Hunter Manspile who is also looking to standout in his senior campaign.  Freshman Christopher Innace will look to redshirt this season.