The teams are all in different positions — some are looking to continue years-long state championship streaks, others are looking to supplant rivals at the regional and state level and a few are just trying to recuperate from a big graduating class last spring.

“Once they took the lead, you felt the momentum completely switch,” Mason head coach Chris Capannola said.

Mason’s narrow margin of error started to take its toll as it gradually succumbed to East Rock’s length in the second half.

Mason’s downfall and the manner in which it happened made the loss all the more painful.

Lacroix’s heroics helped resolve a tense final 10 minutes of action for the Mustangs.

Now the Mustangs are set to host Strasburg — a team they swept during the regular season series.

“No better way to start finals than with two first place relay wins and both setting new VHSL class 2 records,” noted Mason Coaches Meg Wallace, Melissa Raeder and Jenny York.

George Mason High School’s wrestling team won the second place team trophy at regionals — a rare feat for the program

An early run coming out of halftime was Mason’s knockout punch on Madison County.

Spirits were slightly dampened by not being able to overcome Strasburg High School to win the Bull Run District crown, Mason’s wrestling team brings a large chunk of the team to the regional tournament this weekend.