COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland wrestling team closed out its regular season with an impressive 32-6 showing against George Mason on February 17 at Comcast Pavilion. The win is the 17th of the season for the Terrapins which ties the school record set back in 1990.

The Terps also went a perfect 5-0 in the ACC this year and clinched its first conference dual meet championship since 1974.

Maryland proved too much for the Patriots all day as the Terps notched two technical falls and a pin. Sophomore James Knox started the match with a major decision at 125 pounds against Joe Coughlin. He got four takedowns and got the riding time bonus point for the win.

Will Powars picked up one of GMU's two wins on the day with a decision at 133. Junior Ryan Brown took the mat for Maryland at 141 for his first dual action of the season and came out on top. He notched two late takedowns, one in both the first and second periods, for the win to give Maryland a 7-3 lead.

Junior Andrew Schlaffer won by decision at 149 to make it 10-3 but Robert Henry closed the gap with a decision of his own for the Patriots at 157. For the second day in a row, however, Maryland's lineup from 165 to heavyweight dominated its competition.

Senior Jason Kiessling and freshman Mike Letts both put on superb performances at 165 and 174, respectively, by earning technical falls. Kiessling used nine takedowns and a near fall en route to his win and earned the technical fall on riding time. Letts compiled four three-point near falls in his match and finally earned the tech fall in the third period with an escape.

Sophomore Josh Haines continued the streak with an 8-2 decision at 184 pounds and redshirt freshman Hudson Taylor earned his second pin in as many days when he took down Harry Zander in 3:46. Zander came out of the opening whistle with a takedown and nearly pinned Taylor, but he was able to escape. Taylor returned the favor later in the first period with two near falls of his own before finally getting the pin in the second period.

Senior Jerry Afari handled Ryan Kittrick at heavyweight with a 6-1 decision to close out the day.

Maryland will now prepare for the 2007 ACC Championship which will be held on Saturday, March 3 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C.

Maryland 32, George Mason 6:
125 - James Knox (MD) major dec. Joe Coughlin, 9-1 (4-0)
133 - Will Powars (GMU) dec. Jeff Oldham, 8-4 (4-3)
141 - Ryan Brown (MD) dec. Mostafa Ibrahim, 5-0 (7-3)
149 - Andrew Schlaffer (MD) dec. Chris Cartella, 8-2 (10-3)
157 - Robert Henry (GMU) dec. Clint Stout, 6-2 (10-6)
165 - No. 13 Jason Kiessling (MD) tech. fall Dan Cook, 22-7 (15-6)
174 - No. 13 Mike Letts (MD) tech. fall Randy Oates, 23-8/5:41 (21-6)
184 - Josh Haines (MD) dec. Bill Widener, 8-2 (23-6)
197 - No. 15 Hudson Taylor (MD) pinned Harry Zander, 3:46 (29-6)
HWT - Jerry Afari (MD) dec. Ryan Kittrick, 6-1 (32-6)