CLEVELAND, Ohio - Gabe Stark and Xavier Dye won the final two matches of the day to help the Cleveland State wrestling team rally late and earn a 21-16 victory over George Mason on Saturday afternoon in Woodling Gym.
The Vikings improved to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in the EWL, while the Patriots fell to 5-6 overall (1-1 EWL).
The Vikings took a 14-9 lead in the dual when Nick Montgomery flipped Konbeh Koroma and pinned him to earn six key points at 149 pounds. The Patriots responded with wins at 157 and 165 pounds to regain a 16-14 lead.
However, Stark knocked off Ryan Forrest, 11-0, at 174 pounds as the Vikings regained an 18-16 lead to set up the deciding match at 184 pounds.
Dye, who was competing in his first dual meet of the season after shoulder surgery, took a 2-1 lead after the second period against Luke Ludke before scoring four points in the final period to clinch the win for the Vikings.
CSU got off to a quick start in the dual with 197-pounder Sam Wheeler earning a 17-6 win over Cameron Houston in the first match of the day. Riley Shaw, ranked 13th in the nation at heavyweight, earned his 16th win of the season with a 14-3 win over Matt Voss as CSU extended its lead to 8-0.
Wins at 125, 133 and 141 pounds from George Mason sliced the CSU lead to 9-8, but Montgomery turned the tide of the match with a pin, just moments after he was almost pinned by Koroma.
CSU is out of action until Friday (Jan. 22) when the Vikings travel to Clarion for a dual at 7:00 pm.
RESULTS – Cleveland State 21, George Mason 16
125 – Ibrahim Bunduka (GMU) d. John Martin (CSU), 13-8
133 – Vince Rodriguez (GMU) d. Alfredo Gray (CSU), 11-5
141 – Tejon Anthony (GMU) d. Mike Carlone (CSU), 5-2
149 – Nick Montgomery (CSU) d. Konbeh Koroma (GMU), Fall
157 – Greg Flournoy (GMU) d. John Vaughn (CSU), 16-5
165 – Patrick Davis (GMU) d. Nathan Wynkoop (CSU), 10-4
174 – Gabe Stark (CSU) d. Ryan Forrest (GMU), 11-0
184 – Xavier Dye (CSU) d. Luke Ludke (GMU), 6-1
197 – Sam Wheeler (CSU) d. Cameron Houston (GMU), 17-6
HWT - #13 Riley Shaw (CSU) d. Matt Voss (GMU), 14-3
Dual started at 197 pounds
