FAIRFAX, Va. - Throughout the 2015-16 season the George Mason wrestling team is scheduled to host 10 duals, make a fourth trip to the Grapple at the Garden and compete against four teams that ended 2015 in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll Top 25.
“I am excited about this year's schedule,” commented head coach Joe Russell. “We start competing a little later than normal which will give us a few more practices on the front end of the season. Once the competitions begin, we will be tested.
“Our first dual meet of the season will be in Madison Square Garden which will also be the venue for the NCAA Championship in March. My goal is to have several Mason grapplers on the competition floor of Madison Square Garden in November and March.”
The Patriots start off the new campaign at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md. on November 21 before they travel to New York, N.Y. for the fourth annual Grapple at the Garden held at Madison Square Garden. There Mason is scheduled to take on Rutgers at 10 a.m., November 29. As a team, the Scarlet Knights finished last season ranked 21st in the nation.
The month of December begins with duals at Mason's Recreation and Athletic Complex involving Mason, Grand Canyon, EWL foe Clarion and N.C. State on December 13. The Patriots wrestle Clarion and Grand Canyon and host Davidson a week later on Monday, December 21. Mason travels to a tournament in Lock Haven, Pa. to close out the month on the 29th.
Mason hits the ground running to begin the new year when it hosts Virginia Tech, a top-10 team last season, on the third of the month. The other home dual of the month is against conference opponent Lock Haven on January 22. Away duals include Sacred Heart and EWL members Cleveland State, Rider and Edinboro, which finished third overall at NCAA Championships in 2015. The Patriots participate in the Virginia Duals from January 8-9 at the Hampton Coliseum.
February begins with a dual at Navy on the third, followed by three-consecutive and five of the final six duals of the season at home. Mason welcomes Bloomsburg, Franklin & Marshall and last season's No. 24-ranked squad Bucknell as well as VMI and American, the season's final dual opponent on February 21. The Patriots travel to College Park, Md. for the second-consecutive year for a rematch with Maryland. Last season's matchup resulted in a 17-16 victory, the program's first over a BIG 10 opponent.
EWL Championships take place at Lock Haven University on the fifth of March. NCAA Championships run from March 17-19 at New York's Madison Square Garden.
To view the full schedule, click here.
