Fairfax, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team will travel across the Potomac River to wrestle longtime opponent American in a dual dubbed the "Turkey Tussle" at 7:00 pm in Bender Arena.
 
History with American:  Mason and American have met on the mat 38 times dating back to the 1974-75 season. The Patriots have won the past two meetings, and have an edge in the overall record, 21-16-1. Mason won 20-16 on Nov. 18, 2021, to break a 10-match win streak American had held since 2009. Last season, the Green and Gold prevailed, 23-15 on Dec. 18.
 
George Mason is off to a 4-2 start, while American is 2-3 overall this season, and share two common opponents. The Patriots and the Eagles each defeated Millersville (Nov. 11), and the Eagles defeated Clarion, 18-15. The Patriots dropped the conference match to Clarion, 23-12.
 
Ranked:  The Patriots #18 Nate Higley will wrestle for the second time this season in the 141-pound weight class. Redshirt freshman DJ McGee, ranked #53 nationally, earned the biggest win of his collegiate career with a 4-2 decision over #14 Minnesota's All-American and #8 ranked Michael Blockhus at 157 pounds. The Stafford, Va. native is off to an 8-0 start to the season.
 
The Eagles have two top 50 wrestlers, including #9 Jack Maida at 125 pounds, while Max Leete is ranked #40. Maida defeated Virginia Tech's #4 ranked Eddie Ventresca, 9-0. He had two takedowns and a point for riding time for AU's only team points.
 
GEORGE MASON PROBABLES
125 – Ben Monn (6-3) | JB Dragovich (3-2)
133 - Shawn Nonaka (3-3) | Patrick Schellpfeffer (2-5)
141 - Dom Hargrove (3-4) |  Nate Higley (1-0)
149 - Kaden Cassidy (5-3)       
157 - DJ McGee (8-0)             
165 - Evan Maag (8-3)            
174 - Sean Coughlin (4-5) | Paul Pierce (2-1)
184 - Malachi DuVall (3-5)      
197 - Ruben Karapetyan (2-2)
285 - Chad Nix (6-1)               
 
AMERICAN PROBABLES
125: Maida or Kalmatov
133: Leete
141: McIntyre
149: Zimmerman or Owen
157: Nies or Capato
165: Phifer or Milheim
174: White
184: Bourne
197: Rawls or Volk-Klos
285: Jarrell or Ulrich

 
Next Up:  The Patriots will be back on the mat next weekend. The Patriots will host Davidson and MAC opponent Cleveland State, Saturday, Dec. 2, beginning at Noon in the RAC. On Sunday, Mason will host its Annual Patriot Open beginning at 10 am at the George Mason Field House.