By Captain Shaw Cohe (special to Lasso Online, March 15, 2003)

George Mason wrestlers have reason to celebrate. Two of the team members, Colin Ehmer and Devlan Melancon competed in the State Tournament, both finishing in the top 12 in the state. Ehmer and Melancon qualified for the tournament with third and second place finishes respectively in both the Bull Run District and Region B Championships. 
 

Ehmer opened the tournament with a 13-4 major decision over his Floyd County opponent. He followed this win with another to battle his way to the semi-finals where he lost to the ultimate Silver Medallist from JJ Kelley. He finished the tournament with dominant decisions over Rural Retreat and Mathews opponents to earn the third place medal.  Melancon battled an injury as well as his opponents throughout the State Tournament. He opened with a 14-5 major decision over his Covington opponent then dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to the ultimate second place finisher from Rural Retreat. Injury continued to plague Melancon in his final match against a Manassas Park state medallist he had split decisions with throughout the season. He went on to finish in the "top 12" in the state, and like Ehmer is already recognized state wide as a real contender for next year’s title.

Wrestling coach Dr. Rich Heupel congratulates Colin  Ehmer on his strong performance in the wrestling post-season. Ehmer finished in the top 12 in the state  after having qualified for the finals with third and  second place finishes in the district and Region B  chapionships At states, Ehmer made it to the semi- finals before losing to the eventual silver medalist  from JJ Kelley. Devlan Melancon was the other  Mason wrestler to make it to states. Melancon also  finished in the top 12 in Virginia and his coaches call  him "a real contender" for next year.  (Lasso Online photo)

The Mustangs finished twenty-fourth of the 48 teams that qualified wrestlers to compete, a strong showing with only two wrestlers in the tournament due to the tough Bull Run District and Region B gauntlet the competitors had to run to make it that far. Four of the top six-team finishers were from the Bull Run District, including Brentsville, who won the Team Championship again. 

Other Mason wrestlers finished their season strongly, with quite a few boasting over 20 wins. Nick Pitas (103lbs) who placed third and fifth in the District and Region Championship earned an alternate state-qualifying berth. Pitas had 25 wins for the season, which is believed to be a freshman record. Other Mason grapplers who earned district medals and ended their seasons in the tough Region B Championships were Willie Hoover (130lbs), Andrew Hipolet (189lbs), and Tim Quintyn (275lbs). Junior Mike Cummings (152lbs) was knocked out in the Bull Run District with last minute and 1 point losses to this years State Championship second and fifth place medalist. 

Team Captain Mac Cohe (171lbs) was injured and unable to compete at districts but defeated the Bull Run District champion and third place state medalist "head to head" during the regular season. Zack Schwind finished up his season on a positive note with two wins and a fifth place finish at Districts, and his sister Kristen continued to earn respect from everyone she wrestles. All of these wrestlers along with freshmen varsity starters Michael Coleman (125lbs) and Bob Bumgarner (145lbs) and Chris Martin (215lbs) as well as Kalin Bellmard, John Falkey and Tashdid Kahn look forward to next season in anticipation and with high hopes.