Maryland
George Mason
George Mason Edges Terps, 17-16
11/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Despite a major decision at 184 pounds from senior Tony Gardner, the Maryland wrestling team fell, 17-16, on criteria to George Mason at the XFINITY Pavilion Sunday afternoon.
The Terps (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) and Patriots wrestled close matches throughout the dual and ultimately ended up with 16 team points apiece at the end of 10 matches. After a tiebreaker, George Mason was awarded an extra team point based on its edge in total match points (59-55) to claim the victory.
“There were a couple of close matches that really had a big influence on the dual,” head coach Kerry McCoy said. “I think it's one of those things where we came up a little bit short.”
In the opening bout of the dual, Jhared Simmons made his second career appearance in a starting role and got past Ibrahim Bunduka, 8-5. Billy Rappo added to the Terps' early advantage with a 4-3 win over Vince Rodriguez.
Sahid Kargbo put the Patriots on the board at 141 pounds, beating Daniel Sanchez, 7-4. Ryan Hunsberger then leveled the dual, eking out a 3-1 win over Shane Arechiga with a late takedown.
At 157 pounds, Lou Mascola parlayed his first period takedown into a hard fought 4-1 win over Greg Flournoy. Patrick Davis gave the Patriots their first lead of the day (10-9) with a 15-5 major decision over Tyler Manion.
Ryan Forrest's 6-5 decision win over Josh Snook expanded the George Mason advantage to 13-9 heading into the final three matches. At 184 pounds, Gardner came up big with a 12-4 major decision over Derek Dwyer to tie the match at 13.
Rob Fitzgerald pushed Maryland back in front, holding off Matt Meadows in a 6-3 win. The Terps also held the lead in total match points 49-47 after the match at 197 pounds.
Maryland's Sean Twigg and Mason's Jake Kettler would settle proceedings at 285 pounds. The Patriot heavyweight jumped on Twigg from the start and flipped the total match points score with a 12-6 decision, giving George Mason the tiebreaker point and the victory.
Fitzgerald's victory pushed the Terps' record at 197 pounds to 10-0 in their last ten duals at dating back to last season. The victory also pushed Fitzgerald's record to a team-best 5-0.
The Terps hit the road next weekend for their first-ever appearances in Big Ten action. Maryland will take on Wisconsin on Friday at 9 p.m., before traveling to Lincoln to face Nebraska at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
George Mason 17, Maryland 16125: Jhared Simmons (MD) decision over Ibrahim Bunduka (GMU), 8-5 (3-0) MD
133: Billy Rappo (MD) decision over Vince Rodriguez (GMU), 4-3 (6-0) MD
141: Sahid Kargbo (GMU) decision over Daniel Sanchez (MD), 7-4 (6-3) MD
149: Ryan Hunsberger (GMU) decision over Shane Arechiga (MD), 3-1 (6-6)
157: Lou Mascola (MD) decision over Greg Flournoy (GMU), 4-1 (9-6) MD
165: Patrick Davis (GMU) major decision over Tyler Manion (MD), 15-5 (10-9) GMU
174: Ryan Forrest (GMU) decision over Josh Snook (MD), 6-5 (13-9) GMU
184: Tony Gardner (MD) major decision over Derek Dwyer (GMU), 12-4 (13-13)
197: Rob Fitzgerald (MD) decision over Matt Meadows (GMU), 6-3 (16-13) MD
285: Jake Kettler (GMU) decision over Sean Twigg (MD), 12-6 (16-16)
George Mason wins on criteria (total match points) 59-55, to take the dual 17-16.
