Feb. 21, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va. - Junior co-captain John Antonelli scored a major decision in the 165-pound match earning the decisive team point in Maryland's 20-19 victory over George Mason in a non-conference college wrestling match Saturday at GMU's John Linn Gymnasium.

Maryland finished its regular season with a 4-9 record in dual matches, while the Patriots fell to 4-8 overall.

George Mason erased a 13-3 Terrapin lead by winning three straight matches between 133 and 149 pounds. The streak, including a forfeit at 133 pounds, gave the Patriots a 16-13 lead.

But Jason Kiessling picked up his first win since Jan. 23 with an 8-2 win over Mitch Webster at 157 pounds tying the team score. Antonelli then gave the Terrapins a four-point cushion with a 10-2 major decision over Sean Early in the next bout.

Nick Webster of George Mason made up three of those team points with an 11-6 decision over Pat Cissne at 174 pounds, but the Terps were able to hold on for the dual-match victory.

Maryland opened well in the match, getting a decision by Sean Fehn at 184 pounds and a major decision by Jerry Afari at 197. After the Patriots won the heavyweight bout, Maryland's Matt Pandullo pinned Ed Tan at 4:00 of the 125-pound matchup to give the Terps their 13-3 lead.

Jason Gribschaw wrestled well in a loss at 141 pounds for the Terps, losing 4-3 to GMU's Rob Becker, who was ranked 10th nationally in this week's Intermat individual rankings.

The Terrapins are off until wrestling in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships on March 6 at Virginia.

MARYLAND 20, GEORGE MASON 19
184 - Sean Fehn (Md.) dec. Jim Martin, 4-3 (MD, 3-0)
197 - Jerry Afari (Md.) major dec. Harry Zander, 20-7 (MD, 7-0)
Hwt - Ryan Kittrick (GM) dec. Barry Stein, 7-4 (MD, 7-3)
125 - Matt Pandullo (Md.) pinned Ed Tan, 4:00 (MD, 13-3)
133 - David Emison (GM) won by forfeit (MD, 13-9)
141 - Rob Becker (GM) dec. Jason Gribschaw, 4-3 (MD, 13-12)
149 - Adrian Austin (GM) major dec. Jerad Villecco, 11-2 (GM, 16-13)
157 - Jason Kiessling (Md.) dec. Mitch Webster, 8-2 (Tie, 16-16)
165 - John Antonelli (Md.) major dec. Sean Early, 10-2 (MD, 20-16)
174 - Nick Webster (GM) dec. Pat Cissne, 11-6 (MD, 20-19)