FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team fell 23-12 to Clarion University in its inaugural Eastern Wrestling League conference matchup on Saturday.
The Patriots move to 6-11 in dual competition this season with an 0-1 conference record while the Golden Eagles improve to 8-10 and now evens its EWL record at 2-2.
Mason won four of the 10 matches on the day, including two of the first three with victories from Vincent Rodriguez and Sahid Kargbo. Rodriguez scored the winning takedown with four seconds remaining in the 133lb. match against Sam Sherlock for a 4-3 decision and Kargbo took his 141lb. contest to overtime to claim the 7-2 win over Tyler Bedelyon. The victories put Mason up 6-3 after the first three matches.
Clarion was able to regain the lead with a Justin Arthur 12-0 major decision victory over Shohei Takagi and an 8-2 decision victory by Austin Matthews over Greg Flournoy. Ryan Forrest helped the team bounce back with a 5-4 decision over Michael Pavasko at 165lbs. to make it a 11-9 match in favor of Clarion.
The Golden Eagles maintained their lead in the remainder of the dual, winning three of the final four bouts. Matt Meadows won his match at 197lbs. for the third consecutive dual with a 6-5 decision over Daniel Sutherland to complete Mason's 12 points in the dual.
The Patriots have a quick turnaround between duals, returning home for a 9 a.m. contest with Bucknell tomorrow (Sunday), February 2.
CLARION 23 GEORGE MASON 12
125- Hunter Jones (CL) maj. dec. Bryce Gentry (GM) 15-1
133- Vincent Rodriguez (GM) dec. Sam Sherlock (CL) 4-3
141- Sahid Kargbo (GM) dec. Tyler Bedelyon (CL) 7-2 OT
149- Justin Arthur (CL) maj. dec. Shohei Takagi (GM) 12-0
157- Austin Matthews (CL) dec. Greg Flournoy (GM) 8-2
165- Ryan Forrest (GM) Michael Pavasko (CL) 5-4
174- Ryan Darch (CL) dec. Zach Martinez (GM) 4-3
184- Dustin Conti (CL) dec. Ryan Hembury (GM) 7-5 OT
197- Matt Meadows (GM) dec. Daniel Sutherland (CL) 6-5
285- Evan Daley (CL) wbf Jake Kettler (GM) 6:37
Clarion 8-10; 2-2
George Mason 6-11; 0-1
Ref: John Mulgrave
