Jan. 29, 1997

Patriots Edge Terrapins 20-18

FAIRFAX, Va. - Senior Tighe Cullinane's major decision at heavyweight gave George Mason a 20-18 win in a collegiate wrestling dual meet before a crowd of 358 Wednesday at the John Linn Memorial Gymnasium.

George Mason won its fourth-straight meet to improve to 5-2, and the Patriots improved their home record to 76-6-1 over the past 11 seasons. Maryland lost for the first time this season as it dropped to 5-1.

Cullinane's 9-1 win over senior Dave Vernier in the final match of the night gave the Patriots the win after Terrapins senior Brian Layman had given Maryland an 18-16 lead with a 4-3 win in double overtime at 190 pounds. Layman won the match when Patriots senior Arash Filabi was called for an illegal hold.

The meet went back and forth all night between the regional powers. After Patriots sophomore Chris Mansueto (15-8 decision) and Sean Shea (fall in 3:31) won at 118 and 126 pounds, respectively, to give George Mason a 9-0 lead, Maryland senior James Guzzio (25-0, ranked eighth in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News at 134 pounds), received a forfeit. Terrapins junior Shane Mack then scored a 3-0 decision at 142 to tie the score.

Patriots freshman Kevin Brandon defeated senior Jeff Whalne, 9-7, at 150, but freshman Kris Bishop dropped a 5-4 decision to senior Arash Alizadeh at 158 as the Terrapin won by gaining a point for advantage time to tie the score again at 12-12. Patriots senior Rob Barlow won by major decision (10-2) at 167, but Terrapins junior Craig Garrison won a 4-2 decision at 177 to bring Maryland back within a point at 16-15 and set up the exciting finish.

118  Chris Mansueto (GMU)    def.  Robert Taksernas (UM)  15-8126  Sean Shea (GMU)         def.  Scott Herfel (UM)      3:31134  James guzzio (UM)       def.  forfeit                  142  Shane Mack (UM)         def.  Mark Weader (GMU)      3-0150  Kevin Brandon (GMU)     def.  Jeff Whalen (UM)       9-7158  Arash Alizadeh (UM)     def.  Kris Bishop (GMU)      5-4 167  Rob Barlow (GMU)        def.  Damon Stephens (UM)    10-2 (Major)177  Craig Garrison (UM)     def.  Tim Carrigan (GMU)     4-2190  Brian Layman (UM)       def.  Arash Filabi (GMU)     4-3 (2 OT)HWT  Tighe Cullinane (GMU)   def.  Dave Vernier (UM)      9-1 (Major)

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