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(Jordan Giles / Fourth Estate)

BY RITHVIK HARI, STAFF WRITER

Mason wrestling turned the Johnson Center into their arena on Jan. 30, hosting Rider University in the second annual Super Duel. With the matches taking place in the food court, spectators filled the railings along the second and third floors of the JC, looking down to watch the action below.

Fourth in the East Division of the MAC, the Patriots aimed to snap a two-game losing streak, as the second-place Broncos rolled into Fairfax off of five straight wins.

Rider would take an early 18-0 lead with four straight victories in the lower weight classes, but Mason’s nationally ranked wrestlers put them on the scoreboard. Junior DJ McGee earned four points for Mason, defeating freshman Gianni Maldonado 11-2. With the win, McGee recorded his eighth major decision of the season and improved his overall record to 18-2.

“DJ continues to roll and looks great,” Mason Coach Frank Beasley said. “He got another major one again. He’s one of the top guys in the country in majors.” 

The longtime Patriot coach also made sure to highlight graduate wrestler Drew Dickson’s impact. In only his fourth bout of the season, the 165-pounder defeated Rider’s Brendon Abdon to cut the deficit to 18-10.

“[Drew] looked great tonight. He’s putting people on notice. And last week I think it sent some shocks out there that he is for real,” Beasley said. “He’s a dangerous opponent for anyone.” 

During a match the previous week against Edinboro’s graduate wrestler Ryan Burgos, Dickson dominated the first period with a takedown and near fall, but Burgos fought back through the second, ultimately winning by a fall in the third period as time expired. 

In a duel between nationally ranked wrestlers, Mason’s graduate wrestler Logan Messer faced senior Enrique Munguia. Messer won 4-1, cutting the Bronco lead 18-13. 

Messer’s victory would be Mason’s final win of the night, as the Patriots would go on to lose in the 184, 197 and 285-lbs bouts. Rider’s Hogan Swenski would defeat freshman Herbert Billups to close out the night, giving the Broncos a 30-13 victory at the Johnson Center.

Despite the loss, Beasley praised the crowd for their support. 

“The guys got valuable experience in an incredible atmosphere,” the ninth-year coach said. “This is the best atmosphere in college wrestling. It might not be the biggest atmosphere, might not be the [biggest] crowd, but it’s a great atmosphere.”