MANHEIM, Pa. (October 24, 2008) George Mason wrestler Cayle Byers begins the season ranked 11th at 197 pounds in the first poll of the 2008-09 season released by /InterMat/. It is the third preseason poll to rank the Chugiak, Alaska native highly heading into the season. Byers was ranked in the Top-10 in the initial /Amateur Wrestling News/ and/Wrestling International Newsmagazine’s polls.

Byers enjoyed immediate success in his first season on the team, earning a wild card invitation to the NCAA Championships after a phenomenal rookie campaign in which he finished in third place at the CAA Championships in one of the toughest weight classes in the conference. He was ranked 13th in the final /InterMat/ Poll and 15th in the final /Amateur Wrestling News/ Poll, and was the only freshman in the nation ranked in the Top-20 at 197 pounds in either poll. Byers led the team in wins (37), dual wins (16) and major decisions (7), and was tied for the team lead in conference victories with seven.

Following his freshman campaign, the Chugiak, Alaska native was named to the /Amateur Wrestling News/ All-Rookie First Team. In addition to the /Amateur Wrestling News/ accolades, Byers was also named to the CAA All-Rookie Team at 197 pounds and was a VaSID First-Team All-Virginia selection.

The George Mason wrestling team begins its 2008-09 season on Nov. 9 with a dual meet against in-state rival Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.