FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team dropped its first dual of the season, falling to Indiana 35-6 on Thursday at the Recreation and Athletic Complex.
Mason (0-1) freshman Quinton Tucker (0-1) made his collegiate debut, opening the dual at 125 lbs. against No. 12 Elijah Oliver, who recorded the win by fall 1:12 into the match to give Indiana (2-1) the lead. Freshman Lio Quezada (0-1) also made his NCAA debut in the 133 lbs. match, but Indiana freshman Garrett Pepple won by fall 2:51 into the first period.
"We had four rookies out there and it was a good test for us," Mason head coach Joe Russell said. "It's what we learn from this that's important. We have to make sure that we make adjustments in matches and learn from this. If we do that I think we can close the gap as the season goes on."
The Patriots earned their first individual victory of the season in the 141 lbs. match, when sophomore Tejon Anthony (1-0) had his hand raised. Anthony, who won 20 matches last season, tied the match 1-1 with an escape in the third period and then secured a 3-1 decision with a two-point takedown against Hoosiers sophomore Cole Weaver with just one second remaining in overtime.
Mason senior captain Sahid Kargbo (1-0) tallied two takedowns and a four-point near fall in a 10-3 decision at 149 lbs. over Indiana junior Luke Blanton to cut the Hoosiers lead in the dual to 12-6. Kargbo went 4-0 in open competition last season.
"Tejon was in a tight match and you have to be able to find a way to win those close ones," said Russell. He did in overtime and it was good to see. Sahid did a good job building his lead and almost got the major decision for us. We were competitive in some other matches and the good thing is that we get to see Indiana again on Saturday. Hopefully we can turn a couple of these matches around."
Indiana went on to win the final six bouts of the night.
In the 157 lbs. match, Mason freshman Matthew Raines (0-1) kept his match close in the early stages before Indiana sophomore Jake Danishek registered six straight takedowns for a 16-6 major decision. At 165 lbs., freshman Garrett Tingen made his Mason debut and stayed close throughout the match before falling in a 10-5 decision to Hoosiers sophomore Bryce Martin.
Mason senior Patrick Davis (0-1) lost a 6-3 decision in his 174 lbs. match, while sophomore Austin Harrison (0-1) dropped his 184 lbs. matchup by fall to Indiana junior Nate Jackson, who is unbeaten and ranked No. 6 in the nation. Senior Andrew Thomas then lost in a major decision at 197 lbs.
In the heavyweight bout, sophomore Matthew Voss (0-1), the UWW Greco Roman University National Champion, tied his contest against Hoosiers sophomore Fletcher Miller with an escape early in the third period. Miller would score on a takedown midway through the final period to claim a 3-2 decision.
"In a match like this, you see a lot of your flaws," Russell said. We see them and now it's just a matter of if we are willing to put in the work to get better. I think this group will respond."
Up Next:
Mason (0-1) at the Navy Classic
Saturday, November 19
Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis, Md.
The Patriots are back in action this Saturday in their first tournament of the season when they travel to Annapolis to compete in the Navy Classic at the United States Naval Academy. The Patriots will join 11 other teams, including Indiana, for matchups in all 10 brackets. The prelims begin at 10 a.m. and the finals start at 5 p.m.
"It's a good one for us to get multiple matches," Russell said of the Navy Classic. "It's a good marker for us for who's going to qualify for nationals. Wrestlers winning that tournament are consistently going to the national tournament. If we can do well there we know where we need to be."
