George Mason University Athletics

McGee Selected as MAC Freshman of the Year

Wrestling 3/27/2024 11:44:00 AM

Fairfax, Va. -- George Mason's DJ McGee was voted Freshman of the Year, announced by the Mid-American Conference today releasing its annual awards.

McGee became the sixth wrestler in Mason program history selected as the top freshman. The Patriots Nate Higley won the award in 2023. Four Patriots wrestlers claimed the award while competing as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

McGee had a tremendous season topped by a second-place finish at the MAC Championship, earning an automatic bid to represent the Patriots at the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships. He helped Mason earn a third-place finish at the MAC Championship, the best in the five-year history as a member of the 13-team conference.

The Stafford, Va. native was one of two Mason wrestlers to win more than 20 matches, finishing with a 25-7 record. The 157-pounder was in a competitive weight class in the conference that earned five allocations to the NCAA Championships. He finished 7-2 in the MAC with wins against Central Michigan's #24 Johnny Lovett, #28 Colton Washleski (Rider), and #33 Herrera-Rondon (Clarion).

The first-time NCAA Qualifier was seeded No. 22 in the NCAA Championship. Indiana's Brayton Lee needed sudden victory to defeat McGee in his first bout as an NCAA Qualifier, SV, 4-1. In the consolation round one, McGee won by a 4-2 decision against UNC's Sonny Santiago. Ryder Downey, the Big XII Champion from Northern Iowa, defeated McGee in the consolation second round ending his first NCAA Championship. He finished with a 1-2 record in the national tournament.

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Players Mentioned

DJ McGee: 149/157; Freshman

Players Mentioned

DJ McGee
: Freshman
: 149/157