FAIRFAX — The George Mason wrestling team jumped out to a 21-0 advantage against Gardner-Webb to secure its eighth straight win
to open the season.The win (8-0, 5-0) matches the Patriots best start since 2022-23. The Runnin' Bulldogs fall to 2-4.

The Patriots won seven matches, four decided by technical fall. 

Beginning with the match 149 pounds, George Mason won the first two matches by decision. The Patriots #26 Kaden Cassidy (10-1) and JT Chance (4-1) got the Patriots on the board with decisions to lead Gardner-Webb, 6-0. After a 3-3 tied after two periods Chance dominated the third period with three straight takedowns against the Runnin' Bulldogs Drew Pepin. 

George Mason stretched the lead quickly after three straight technical falls against the SoCon opponent, four overall in the match.

At 165 pounds, Evan Maag continues to win matches in dominating fashion earning a technical fall against Tyler Brignola, 20-4. It's Maag's 12th win by fall (6) and tech fall (6) this season as the #24 nationally-ranked wrestler improves to 13-2. 

Senior Logan Messer had four takedowns in the first period en route to a technical fall, 19-4, his fifth TF of the season, against Andrew Wilson. Messer (13-3) and Maag (13-2) lead the Patriots with 13 wins this season.

At 184 pounds, #27 Malachi DuVall won 17-2 against Gardner-Webb's Edison Flores to increase the Patriots lead to 21-0.

The Runnin' Bulldogs would get on the board with a 4-3 decision at 197 pounds. Josh McCutchen edged Tyler Kocak with the riding time point.

Freshman James Blackman is off to a great start in his collegiate career improving to 11-4 with his fourth technical fall of the season.

With the win, George Mason ties the all-time series with the Runnin' Bulldogs, 4-4. The Patriots have won four of the previous five match-ups, including three straight at home.

George Mason will travel to participate in the Midlands Championships, December 29-30 in Evanston, Illinois to wrap up 2024.

MASON LINEUP
125 – Ben Monn (GM) over Jeffery Jacome (GW), Dec 4-1, SV-1; GM leads 29-3
133 – TK Davis (GW) over Charlie Bunting (GM); Dec 7-3; GM leads 29-6
141 – Todd Carter (GW) over Dom Hargrove (GM), TF 25-5 (5:38); GM wins 29-11
-- Match Start --
149 – Kaden Cassidy (GM) over Joseph Giordano (GW), Dec 1-0; GM leads 3-0
157 – JT Chance (GM) over Drew Pepin (GW), Dec. 12-5; GM leads 6-0
165 – Evan Maag (GM) over Tyler Brignola (GW), TF 20-4 (6:10); GM leads 11-0
174 – Logan Messer (GM) over Andrew Wilson, TF 19-4 (3:40); GM leads 16-0
184 – Malachi DuVall (GM) over Edison Flores (GW), TF 17-2 (5:26); GM leads 21-0
197 – Josh McCutchen (GW) over Tyler Kocak (GM), Dec 4-3; GM leads 21-3
285 – James Blackman (GM) over Mason Blue (GW), TF 20-5 (7:00); GM leads 26-3