Fairfax, Va.- On Senior day, George Mason University's redshirt seniors Vincent Rodriguez and Blake Roulo both earned victories in their final home matches. Despite the positive individual efforts, the Patriots would eventually succumb to American University, 27-11.
The Patriots split the first four matches of the dual as Rodriguez and Roulo both were victorious. Rodriguez came out on fire jumping out to a 10-0 lead early in the first period. Rodriguez only needed 2:23 of wrestling time to dispatch American's James Giaccia and won by technical fall, 16-1.
Roulo did well to follow Rodriguez's lead, earning two takedowns in the first period to lead, 4-2. The match would tighten in the third period, 8-7, when Roulo's opponent, Tom Page, was awarded two points for two separate stall calls against Roulo. The Petersburg, Va. native produced a takedown to create separation late in the third period and would end up victorious by decision, 10-7.
The Patriots then lost two straight close matches, 3-1 and 3-0, respectively. Redshirt senior captain Greg Flournoy lost 3-1 in overtime to #14 ranked John Boyle but battled valiantly in his final home match. Flournoy will need to have a strong showing in the Eastern Wrestling League Championships to ensure a place in the NCAA Championships.
Redshirt junior Ryan Forrest got the Patriots a much needed victory, winning by decision, 8-6. Forrest had a strong third period in which the redshirt junior scored four points, two for a takedown, 1 for an escape and 1 point added for riding time.
The Patriots would then lose the final three matches of the dual including one by redshirt junior Luke Ludke. Ludke was honored along with the rest of the Mason seniors as his time as a Patriot wrestler will end after the 2016 season. Ludke wrestled tough all season and today's match was no different, although he eventually lost by decision, 6-1.
Even though Mason's regular season is over, the team will compete March, 5 at the EWL Championships in Lock Haven, Pa. There's also a chance that individual members of the team could qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Championships which would take place March, 17-19 at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y.
Results:
American 27, Mason 11
David Terao (American) over Ibrahim Bunduka (George Mason) (Fall 5:38)
Vince Rodriguez (George Mason) over James Giaccia (American) (TF 16-1 2:23)
Tyler Scotton (American) over Tejon Anthony (George Mason) (Dec 3-1)
Blake Roulo (George Mason) over Tom Page (American) (Dec 10-7)
John Boyle (American) over Gregory Flournoy (George Mason) (TB-1 3-1)
Mitchell Wightman (American) over Patrick Davis (George Mason) (Dec 4-0)
Ryan Forrest (George Mason) over Michael Eckhart (American) (Dec 8-6)
Jason Grimes (American) over Luke Ludke (George Mason) (Dec 6-1)
Jeric Kasunic (American) over Cameron Houston (George Mason) (Fall 0:58)
Jake Scanlan (American) over Matthew Voss (George Mason) (Dec 3-2)
