FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason Nathan Higley was selected as the East Wrestler of the Week, announced by the Mid-American Conference.
 
It's the second time a Patriots wrestler has claimed the weekly conference award this season. DJ McGee (157) won the honor on November 21.

The Sulivan County, Pa., native finished the week with a 7-0 record, including five bonus points victories, to remain undefeated at 8-0 on the season.
 
Higley's wins were key to Mason's two dual wins this weekend. In his first match, he won by major decision, 14-3, over Joshua Viarengo of Davidson. That win helped propel the Patriots to a 24-10 dual meet victory and the 'A-10 Dual' trophy. In the second match of the day, Higley collected a forfeit victory over Cleveland State in a 23-14 dual meet victory over MAC East foe.
 
The redshirt sophomore won the championship in the 141-pound weight class at the A Better Way Athletics Patriot Open Tournament on Sunday. He finished the day with five wins, including three with bonus points. In the first round, he beat Carter Nix of Morgan State with his first fall of the day in 1:47. In the second round, Higley won by major decision, 8-0 over Cael McIntyre of American University. In the quarterfinals, Higley beat Michael Pizzuto of Maryland 9-8. In the semifinals, he won 7-4 over Nico Nardone of the University of Pennsylvania. In the finals, he needed just 24 seconds to flatten Evan Mougalian of Penn.

Next Up:  The Patriots will be back on the mat after a break for finals. Mason will travel to North Carolina to take on Gardner-Webb University at 1:00 pm, and Queens University of Charlotte at 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 21.