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AU Wrestlers Make It Two In a Row
Eagles defeat George Mason on criteria

February 4, 2003

Freshman Tom Kniezewski earned the key victory at 157-lbs.

FAIRFAX, Va. -- In the final weight class of the meet, American University freshman Tom Kniezewski (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) wrestled up two weight classes to capture a 7-2 decision at 157, knotting the score at 24-24. His victory set the Eagles up for their second straight win - this one by technicality - over George Mason Tuesday night at the John Linn Memorial Gymnasium.

Tied at 24-all, AU knotched the win by a series of technicality checks that included wins (five each), forfeits (one each), falls (one each) and technical falls (GM one) to lead the Eagles to victory.

Trailing 18-9 after five classes, American's Dan Lobsenz (Fairfield, Conn./Choate) accrued a win at 133-lbs. with a medical default over Dan Smith, which proved to be the critical six-point victory.

The Eagles had established a temporary lead as Eric Levine (Newton, Mass./Newton South) accepted the forfeit at 141-lbs. and a 21-18 lead. The Patriots returned the favor quickly when Rob Baker, ranked No. 18 in the nation at 149-lbs. by Intermat, registered his seventh pin of the season, this time over Aviv Bercovicz (Ocean, N.J./Ocean Township). The fall gave George Mason a 24-21 advantage before Kniezewski rallied for the three key points at 157.

AU heavyweight Jared Hyman (Norcross, Ga./Norcross), a junior, registered his fourth pin of the season at 2:14 in the first period over Sandy Ailor. Hyman maintained control throughout the match before pasting Ailor in the center.

Junior Aaron Baker (Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa) earned the Eagles' first points at 165-lbs. with an 8-6 decision over Richard Appau. Tied 0-0 after one, Baker trailed 5-2 before coming on strong over a tiring Appau in the third.

American will travel to Franklin & Marshall on Saturday, Feb. 8 for a 7:30 p.m. start before hosting its final meet of the season on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with Maryland at 7 p.m.

125: Aaron Suranofsky (GM) decision Matt Pelligrino (AU), 10-4
133: Dan Lobsenz (AU) injury default Dan Smith (GM)
141: Eric Levine (AU) forfeit
149: Rob Baker (GM) fall Aviv Bercovicz (AU), 1:24
157: Tom Kniezewski (AU) decision Franco Priolo (GM), 7-2
165: Aaron Baker (AU) decison Richard Appau (GM), 8-6
174: Sean Early (GM) technical fall Adam Montgomery (AU), 16-1 (3:24)
184: P.J. Ross (GM) decision Kyle Mason (AU), 12-3
197: Nick Webster (GM) forfeit
HWT: Jared Hyman (AU) fall Sandy Ailor (GM), 2:14 (1st)