Redshirt senior captain Greg Flournoy(157) earned a fifth place finish in the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. Flournoy finished the two day championships with an overall record of 7-2.
The Virginia native was one of two wrestlers from George Mason University that competed in the championships. Flournoy was the 11th seeded wrestler in the 157 pound bracket and started extremely strong winning his first and second matches by technical fall, 19-0, and 19-3, respectively.
Flournoy then lost to 6th seeded Chad Walsh of Rider by decision 4-2 and would have to wrestle the rest of the way in the consolation bracket. Iowa State's Renaldo Rodriguez was then defeated by Flournoy by decision, 6-2. In the following round, Flourney defeated 14th seeded Chad Pyke of North Carolina by decision, 5-3.
The match against Pyke was the final match Flourney would participate in Tuesday, and set the table for a match against the 12th seeded Bryce Steiret of Northern Iowa taking place on Wednesday.
Flournoy defeated Steiret by decision 5-4 and then had an intense match against 9th seeded Markus Schneidel of Columbia that eventually needed overtime. The Fauquier High School graduate won by sudden victory 6-4, which arranged a rematch against Walsh for a place in the consolation finals.
Walsh would eventually hold on and defeat Flournoy by decision 4-1. Flournoy was then pitted against American University's 4th seeded John Boyle for fifth place. Flournoy won by medical forfeit which capped off an impressive showing by the redshirt senior.
"Greg competed in the Midlands because he felt it would help prepare him for the NCAA tournament," head wrestling coach Joe Russell said. "I know he will be better because of this experience."
Flournoy finished ahead of wrestlers ranked 10 ,11, 15, 16 and 18by intermat, who also competed in the championships. Flournoy continues an impressive redshirt senior campaign and will look to build on his accomplishments against Virginia Tech Jan. 3.
