Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team split two MAC matches today in a Tri-meet hosted by Cleveland State. 

Host Cleveland State and Mason were deadlocked at 18-18, but the Vikings prevailed in the tie-breaker. In the second match, the Patriots defeated SIUE, 23--16 to remain even in the conference (10-4, 2-2). The Patriots won its 10th match this season, the first 10-win season since 2014-15 (10-12).
 
Mason's rookie Markel Baker (125) and sophomore Logan Messer (174) won both matches today to improve to a team-leading 21 wins. Baker earned a major decision against CSU's Ben Aranda, 12-3, and a technical fall against Davian Guanaluato, 24-9 (5:57). Baker leads the Patriots in tech falls with four.

Messer earned a technical fall against the Vikings JR Reed, 18-2(6:02) and a decision against the Cougars Chase Diehl, 5-1.

In his only match, Drew Dickson earned a fall against the Vikings Daniel Patten, (3:53) at 165.
 
Nate Higley earned his seventh fall of the season, coming against Alec Peralta from SIUE.

Several wrestlers also won a match today, incluing Paul Pierce, Peter Pappas, and Tyler Kocak.

Mason 18
CSU 18
125 – Markel Baker MD Ben Aranda (CSU), 12-3
133-Jake Manley (CSU) dec. Josh Jones, 6-3
141-Caleb Rea (CSU) dec Anthony Glasl, 6-5
149 – Nate Higley dec Doug Terr (CSU), 4-3
157-- Marcus Robinson (CSU) dec Peter Pappas, 3-1 SV-1
165 – Drew Dickson Fall Daniel Patten (CSU), (3:53)
174 – Logan Messer TF JR Reed (CSU), 18-2(6:02)
184-DeAndre Nassar (CSU) dec Tyler Kocak, 5-3
197-Anthony Perrine (CSU) dec Jon List, 4-2
285-Daniel Bucknavich dec Donovan Sprouse, 6-0
 
Mason 23
SIUE 16
125 Markel Baker (George Mason) over Davian Guanaluato (SIUE) (TF 24-9 5:57)
133  Marcel Lopez (SIUE) over Josh Jones (George Mason) (Dec 2-0)
141 Saul Ervin (SIUE) over Anthony Glasl (George Mason) (MD 10-2)
149 Nate Higley (George Mason) over Alec Peralta (SIUE) (Fall 3:47)
157 Peter Pappas (George Mason) over Caine Tyus (SIUE) (Dec 8-2)
165 Paul Pierce (George Mason) over Hayden Shepherd (SIUE) (Dec 3-2)
174 Logan Messer (George Mason) over Chase Diehl (SIUE) (Dec 5-1)
184 Tyler Kocak (George Mason) over Sergio Villalobos (SIUE) (SV-1 4-2)
197 Ryan Yarnell (SIUE) over Jon List (George Mason) (Dec 2-1)
285 Colton McKeirnan (SIUE) over Donovan Sprouse (George Mason) (Fall 1:32)

UP NEXT
Mason will travel again next weekend for three matches in New York. The Patriots will take old CAA rival Hofstra on Friday Night (Feb. 3) before the tri-meet in Brooklyn with LIU at Noon and Drexel at 4 p.m.