VarsityWrestling

Pitas Wins 113^th Match;

Surpasses Cohe in Record Book

  Mustangs Lose 3 ,but Beat Rappahannock

(February 9, 2006)

 

In the wrestling team’s final home meet of the season against area rivals McLean, Marshall, Yorktown, and district rival Rappahannock last Saturday, senior Nick Pitas won his 113^th  high school match, surpassing Johe Cohe for the school record.

 

The Mustangs dropped the matches against McLean, Marshall, and Yorktown, but defeated Rappahannock for their second district win of the year.

 

As it was senior appreciation day, the fans honored the team’s four seniors: Tashdid Khan (125 pounds), Nick Pitas (130), Trevor Quillin (145), and John Hillegass (171).

 

The day began at 10:00 with a duel against the Highlanders of McLean High School. Individually, Tashdid Khan, Nick Pitas and sophomore 189 pounder Steve Parks won their matches. Having recently moved to 135 pounds, junior Andy Millar dropped a close decision to a slightly more experienced foe. Likewise, the match at 119 pounds featuring freshman Jake Schwind, went down to the wire. Collectively, the Mustangs fell to the Highlanders by a rather lopsided score.

 

The second match of the day, against Rappahannock County was a different story, with Mason only losing two individual matches, at 145 and 160 pounds. At 112 pounds, freshman David Ray improved his district prospects with a decision (by points) victory. Most Mustangs received forfeits against the Rappahannock squad, which has been decimated by budget cuts and internal strife. This was the Mustangs’ second district victory, with the first coming in January against the Clarke County Eagles.

 

Next the Mustangs squared off against the Patriots of Yorktown High school, from nearby Arlington. The upper weights for the Mustangs performed well, as senior John Hillegass, in his final home match at 171 pounds, won easily over his Patriotic nemesis, and Steve Parks followed suit at 189 pounds. Despite winning those matches, as well as at 112 and 130 pounds, the Mustangs lost again.

 

The final match of the day against Marshall, if not remarkable for its final score (largely in favor of the Statesmen), was memorable for its historical content. At 130 pounds, Nick Pitas won his fourth match of the day, and the 113th of his career, improving his record to 27-7. With that victory, Pitas passed 2001 graduate Johe Cohe, who currently wrestles for the United States Military Academy at West Point, for the George Mason record.

 

The Mustangs now have one weekend off from competition before the district tournament on February 18th.