Record Six Grapplers To States

On Saturday, February 28, the George Mason High School wrestling team sent nine wrestlers to Buffalo Gap for the Region B Championships. A record six grapplers—Colin Ehmer (140 lbs.), the Region B Champion, regional runners-up Devlan Melancon (145 lbs.), Mac Cohe (171 lbs.) and Nick Pitas (112 lbs.) as well as John Sullivan (160 lbs.) and Mike Coleman (125 lbs.)—qualified to move on to the State Championship next weekend.

The tournament will take place this Saturday, March 6, in Salem, Va.

The tournament consisted of the top four wrestlers from the Northern Section (Bull Run District) and the top four from the Southern Section (Shenandoah District and James River District) facing off to determine the top four in the Region who will advance on to the State Championship tournament next weekend.

In addition, the Mustangs placed fifth as a team; Mason’s strongest showing in nearly 20 years.

At Buffalo Gap, Sophomore Kristin Schwind (119 lbs.) became the first female from the Bull Run District to wrestle in the Region B Tournament in more than 15 years. Coleman became the first wrestler in Region B history to qualify for States without qualifying for Regionals (he entered the tournament as an alternate and battled his way to the medal round).

Seniors Andrew Hipolit (189 lbs.) and Tim Quintyn (275 lbs.) both lost in overtime one match away from making the medal round placing 5th and 6th respectively. Hipolit recorded two pins during the tournament and is an alternate for the state championships. He finishes his season leading the team with an impressive 34 wins this season.