Wrestlers Inspire Winning Attitude

By Audrey Christopher
Broadside Staff Writer

As wrestlers from accorss the country prepared for their respective matches, one lone wrestler on the George Mason University mat called for assistance. Mason senior wrestler Rob Becker did not wrestle against conference for Hofstra in this past weekend’s Colonial Athletic Association Duals, held at the Mason Field House. Minutes before the match began, Becker hurt his lower back, sending him to the bench for the rest of tournament. Head Coach Brian Shaffer said that, at this time of year, it is more important to play it safe than risk injury.

With the threat of unknown injury looming, Becker may have to put a hold on adding to his recent accomplishments. Wrestling in the 141-pound weight class, the senior is ranked ninth in the nation by Amateur Wrestling News and 10th by InterMat, as well as having been the CAA Wrestler of the Week Nov. 25-Dec. 8. His achievements do not stop there. Becker recently broke the Mason record for total career wins, topping 100, and currently ranks in the top six in Mason history. When Becker reached the career win record of 100, it was early in the season and he could not dwell on it in front of the fans. “All right, the monkey’s off,” he said. “Get it out of the way.” Becker never even won a match in his High School State Tournament.

Teammate and senior Adrian Austin has accumulated a list of honors for himself as well. Austin wrestles in the 149-pound weight class, coming to the mat only minutes after Becker finishes. Ranked 15th in the nation by InterMat and 19th by the Amateur Wrestling News, Austin was also honored with the co-CAA Wrestler of the Week award from Dec. 9-22 and was the only wrestler to record a win against Hofstra. “I’ve got his back and he’s got mine,” Austin said of Becker. “I want him to do well. When he does well it amps me up more.”

“I’m happy for [Austin] because I know how hard he’s working,” Becker said.

The two wrestlers share a camaraderie on and off the mat, since they have been wrestling together for five years. Both athletes have red-shirted during their careers at Mason. Although they both say there is no tension, both say that there is a little competition when they engage in activities like running sprints. “No one wants to lose to the other guy,” Becker said.

Austin gets more pumped up when he sees that Becker has done well. “There is a slight competition if he wins, [because] I want to win too,” Austin said. “I want to feel that too.” Coach Shaffer agrees. “Definitely no tension [between them]. [You] want the team to do well, but you want to do well too,” he said.

Becker said that having someone as good as Austin in such a close weight class to his own is beneficial.

He said that they can help each other because they both bring different styles to the mat. “It’s good to have another ranked guy to wrestle with,” he said.

Even though Mason’s wrestling team has two talented and experienced wrestlers, the majority of the team consists of freshmen.

Austin said that the young team has a lot of potential, but need to get their confidence up.

He went on to say that the young wrestlers do not realize they are in a college setting and are just as good as the people they are wrestling. They still think in the high school mentality, and they need to understand they are college wrestlers now.

Becker said, “The team is incredible. They are coming together as a group on and off the mat. The three seniors are definitely leaders. The others are turning into leaders fast, and [everything] is coming together.”

While Austin and Becker prepare to leave Mason this year, Becker has reservations. He said, “I’m sad I’m leaving because I really do like the group we have. For the first time, the team is really gelling.”