Dec. 30, 2008

Southern Scuffle Team Score in PDF Format

Southern Scuffle Brackets in PDF Format

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The George Mason wrestling team finished in 11th place in the team scoring at the 2008 Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, N.C. with 57 team points. Leading the way was sophomore 197-pounder Cayle Byers, who finished as the runner-up at his weight class to California State University, Bakersfield's Brandon Halsey.

In a matchup of two nationally-ranked wrestlers according to the latest InterMat poll, No. 16 Halsey topped No. 6 Byers in the 197-pound championship bout by a close 5-4 decision. Clinging to a slim one-point lead, Halsey survived a takedown attempt from Byers that was just off the mat in the final seconds to take the win. Byers won three matches by decision and one by major decision to advance to the final.

At 174 pounds, freshman Mendbagana Tovuujav advanced all the way to the final of the consolation bracket before dropping a close 7-5 decision to Luke Rebertus of Navy. Tovuujav finished fourth in the weight class as a result.

The third Patriot to place at the tournament was sophomore Frankie McLaughlin IV at 157 pounds. McLaughlin defeated Navy's Glenn Shober 3-2 to capture seventh place in the weight class.

Cornell won the team title with 139 points. Edinboro finished second (134) and Kent State finished third (126).

Mason wrestles again on Sunday, Jan. 4 in a quad meet in Norfolk, Va. The participating teams include host Old Dominion, Purdue and UNC Greensboro in addition to Mason.