Fairfax, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team defeated Davidson College and MAC opponent Cleveland State in a pair of duals today inside the RAC. 

Four Patriot wrestlers won two matches, Shawn Nonaka (133), Nate Higley (141), Malachi DuVall (184), and Chad Nix (285).
 
George Mason improves 6-3, while Davidson drops to 0-2 overall, and Cleveland State (0-4).
 
Davidson:  The Patriots continued its dominance against the Wildcats with a 24-10 win, retaining the 'Atlantic 10 Dual' trophy. Mason has won all eight match-ups in the series against the only other Atlantic 10 school sponsoring the sport. The Patriots jumped out to a 13-0 lead after four matches, including a Nate Higley major decision, 14-3, against Josh Viarengo at 141 pounds.

Davidson got on the board when Tanner Peake (DC) earned a 3-2 decision in the tiebreaker over 22/#25 DJ McGee, dropping his first match of the season. Peake earned the riding time point. The Wildcats would get as close as 13-10 after two more decisions at 165 and 174.

Malachi DuVall earned a technical fall 16-0 (5:47) against the Wildcats Wyatt Ferguson to stretch Mason's lead to eight points (18-10) with two matches remaining. Ruben Karapetyan (197) and Chad Nix (285) each won by decision.
 
Cleveland State:  The Patriots capped off the day with a 23-14 win against the Cleveland State, improving to 1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Mason improves to 4-5 in the all-time series with the Vikings, after two straight losses to CSU. The Patriots last defeated CSU, 26-19, on Jan. 10, 2019.

Shawn Nonaka improved to 5-3 this season with a 4-2 decision against Canyon Wells at 133 pounds. The Patriots got a forfeit at 141 to jump out to a 9-3 lead. CSU won the 149-pound match to cut the Patriots lead, 9-6. #22/#25 DJ McGee (Mason) avenge an tough loss earlier against Davidson to defeat Shane Heil (CSU), 13-7. McGee is 10-1 overall.

The Patriots won three of the final four matches, including a technical fall by heavyweight Chad Nix, 19-4, for the final margin of victory. Nix hits double-digit wins with a 10-1 record. Sean Coughlin (174) and DuVall each won by decision. Cleveland State's #26 Ben Smith (CSU) earned a technical fall over Ruben Karapetyan (Mason) to cut the Patriots lead to 18-14 before the heavyweight match.

On Sunday, Mason will be back on the mat hosting the A Better Way Athletics Open at the Field House.

NEXT UP
'A Better Way Athletics' Patriot Open
The annual Patriot Open will take place at the George Mason Field House on Sunday, beginning at 10 am. We anticipate nearly 300 collegiate wrestles at the event. All proceeds benefit the Patriot Elite Wrestling Club/RTC.  The PEWC supports the Patriots off-season training and competitions.  

WHAT: 'A Better Way Athletics' Patriot Open
WHEN:  Sunday, Dec. 3
WHERE:  George Mason Field House, Fairfax, Va.
 
GEORGE MASON - 24
DAVIDSON - 10
125 – Ben Monn (MASON) over Enis Ljikovic (DC), 3-0; Mason leads 3-0
133 - Shawn Nonaka MASON) over Hale Robinson (DC), 8-2; Mason 6-0
141 - #21/#23 Nate Higley (MASON) over Josh Viarengo (DC), MD 14-3; Mason 10-0
149 - Kaden Cassidy (MASON) over Tyler-Xavier McKnight (DC), 5-2; Mason 13-0
157 - Tanner Peake (DC) over 22/#25 DJ McGee (MASON), 3-2; Mason 13-3 
165 - Marc Koch (DC) over Evan Maag (MASON), MD 12-2; Mason 13-7
174 - Brett Sanderlin (DC) over Paul Pierce (MASON), 4-2; Mason 13-10
184 - Malachi DuVall (MASON) over Wyatt Ferguson (DC), TF 16-0 (5:46); Mason 18-10
197 - Ruben Karapetyan (MASON) Cameo Blankenship (DC), ; Mason leads 21-10
285 - #32/#31 Chad Nix (MASON) over Jake Fernicola (DC), 3-0; Mason wins 24-10
**Flo/Inter Rankings

GEORGE MASON - 23
CLEVELAND STATE - 14
125 – Ben Aranda (CSU) over Ben Monn (Mason), 4-1: CSU leads 3-0
133 - Shawn Nonaka (Mason) over Canyon Wells (CSU), 4-2; Tied 3-3
141 - #21/#23 Nate Higley (Mason) by forfeit; Mason leads 9-3
149 - Douglas Terry (CSU) over Kaden Cassidy (Mason), 9-4; Mason leads 9-6
157 - #22/#25DJ McGee (Mason) over Shane Heil (CSU), 13-7; Mason leads 12-6
165 - Tate Geiser (CSU) over Evan Maag (Mason), 10-3; Mason leads 12-9     
174 - Sean Coughlin (Mason) over Gavin Ricketts (CSU), 7-2: Mason leads 15-9
184 - Malachi DuVall (Mason) over Joey Lyons (CSU), 4-0; Mason leads 18-9
197 - #26/32 Ben Smith (CSU) over Ruben Karapetyan (Mason), TF 19-4; Mason leads 18-14
285 - #32/#31 Chad Nix (Mason) over Mason Cover (CSU), TF 19-4 (6:52), Mason wins 23-14
**Flo/Inter Rankings