Junior wrestler Chris Mansueto has been selected as the George Mason University "Athlete of the Week."
A native of West Chester, PA, and a 1994 graduate of West Chester East High School, Mansueto had an outstanding week as he won the championship of the 118-pound weight class at the Millersville Belles Tournament in Millersville, PA. As a team, George Mason finished sixth in the 18-team tournament with 77.5 points.
The tournament victory was Mansueto's first as a collegiate wrestler. A 118-pounder his entire career at George Mason, he has wrestled well all season and has placed in three tournaments. In addition to his win at Millersville, Mansueto was second at the East Stroudsburg Open in November and tied for seventh at the Penn State Open in December.
Mansueto won four straight matches to claim the title at Millersville and improve his season record to 13-4. The top seed at 118, he defeated Rutgers' Brett Taylor by fall in 1:26, Howard's Dwayne St. Hill by a 16-7 decision, Seton Hall's Mike Settimbrino by a 10-5 decision and the College of New Jersey's Mike Walker in a 4-2 decision in the final.
The Colonial Athletic Association "Rookie of the Year" as a freshman in 1994-95, Mansueto finished second that season at the CAA Championships and posted an overall record of 16-11. He sat out the 1995-96 season as a redshirt to gain strength and physical maturity, then returned last season with a record of 21-11 and a third-place finish at the CAA Championships. His 13-4 mark this season gives him a career record of 50-26.
"Chris has been outstanding this season," said Patriots head coach Brian Shaffer. "He has dedicated himself to becoming the best wrestler he can possibly be, and he is intent on winning the CAA title and advancing to the NCAA Championships."