Feb. 12, 2008

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - For the second consecutive week, a member of the George Mason wrestling team's freshman class was honored by the Colonial Athletic Association. Last week, 157-pounder Frankie McLaughlin earned CAA Co-Rookie of the Week honors. This week, it was 197-pounder Cayle Byers (Chugiak, Alaska/Chugiak) turn, after an impressive week in which Byers beat the 11th-ranked wrestler in the nation according to InterMat.

It is the second time Byers has won the award. He was also named the CAA Co-Rookie of the Week on Dec. 4. Byers earned his second award on the strength of a pair of impressive dual match victories on Tuesday.

Trailing by three points against Liberty, Mason needed at least a major decision at 197 pounds to win the meet. Byers, ranked 16th by InterMat and 20th by Amateur Wrestling News in last week's poll, did exactly that, beating Nick Knowles 19-5 to give the Patriots a close 19-18 win.

Mason's second meet of the day found the Patriots in a similar situation, trailing entering the final match. This time around, Mason trailed UNC Greensboro by two, 17-15, heading into the 197-pound bout. Byers prevailed again, this time against a much tougher opponent than the first. Wrestling Daren Burns, the 11th-ranked wrestler in the nation according to InterMat and 13th according to Amateur Wrestling News, Byers showed off his tremendous skills, forcing overtime against the seasoned veteran, before giving Mason the 18-17 team victory with a takedown in the extra period to earn his team-leading 31st win of the year.

Byers split the award with Ryan McGarity, a 141-pounder from Binghamton. The CAA also announced its Co-Wrestler of the Week award, shared by T.J. Morrison of Rider and Josh Patterson of Binghamton.

George Mason wrestles again on Friday, Feb. 15 against Duquesne in Pittsburgh, Pa. The meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.