Jan. 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University wrestling team took a 22-21 advantage into Friday night's final bout off a pin by No. 1 Josh Glenn but could not hold on, as Columbia stole the victory away with a pinfall at heavyweight, 27-22. Five Eagles earned individual victories including four with bonus points but the Lion's four pins were just too much for AU to overcome.

"I felt good about tonight's dual despite the outcome," Head Coach Mark Cody said. "I'm especially pleased with Matt Mariacher, Kyle Borshoff, Christopher Stout and Mike Cannon. Those guys wrestled with a lot of intensity tonight and are making progress towards where they need to be at the end of the year. Josh Glenn is Josh Glenn, and we can always count on a good outing from him. I can't be more proud of that group of guys."

Friday's meet, held at the historic New York Athletic Club on Central Park South, drops AU to 1-2 this year in duals against EIWA opponents and 2-8 overall.

Jasen Borshoff led off the meet at 125 lbs. against Brandon Kinney. With the score tied, 1-1, late in the final period, many in the crowd anticipated the match to be extended into overtime. Kinney made one final attempt in the final minute though and was able to pin Borshoff with just two seconds remaining on the clock, giving Columbia an early lead.

Mariacher, a freshman, put AU on the board at 133 lbs., earning an impressive 8-1 decision over Jerome Grecco to cut CU's lead in half. "Mariacher looked good tonight," Coach Cody said. "He drew a senior with more experience but he looked dominate."

K. Borshoff put American on top in the next bout, earning his first major decision of the year, 15-1, over Nick Standish at 141. AU did not hold the lead long though as 149-pounder Nick Pitas was pinned early in the second period by Anthony Constantino.

The Eagles regained the lead with back-to-back victories by Stout and Cannon at the next two weights. Stout pulled AU to within one point of Columbia with his team-leading fifth major decision of the year, 10-1, over Matt Dunn at 157 lbs. before No. 11 Cannon tech-falled Eric Rice, 23-8, early in the third period of the 165 lbs. bout to put the score at 16-12 in favor of American.

AU's lead was again short lived as Columbia moved back ahead with a Travis Creagan fall over Jonathon Powell at 174 lbs. in the first period. The Lions increased their lead to 21-16 after Kenji Porter defeated Andy Semple at 184 lbs., 6-2.

No. 1 Glenn took a 4-2 lead over Mike Bossetta into the second period of the 197 lbs. bout and put the Eagles back on top, 22-21, when he pinned Bossetta just 20 seconds into the second. Glenn's victory was the 98th of his career and 40th win by pinfall.

Despite taking the lead into the final match AU could not hold on, as heavyweight Ryan Flores used his considerable size advantage to pin Brooks Keefer in the first period, stealing the victory away from American, 27-22.

The Eagles will be back in action tomorrow, Jan. 12, taking on the U.S. Naval Academy at 7 p.m. at home.

125 - Brandon Kinney (CU) def. Jasen Borshoff (AU), Fall (6:58)

133 - Matt Mariacher (AU), def. Jerome Grecco (CU), Dec. 8-1

141 - Kyle Borshoff (AU) def. Nick Standish (CU), Major Dec. 15-1

149 - Anthony Constantino (CU) def. Nick Pitas (AU), Fall (3:14)

157 - Christopher Stout (AU) def. Matt Dunn (CU), Major Dec. 10-1

165 - No. 10 Mike Cannon (AU) def. Eric Rice (CU), Tech-Fall 23-8 (5:20)

174 - Travis Creagan (CU) def. Jonathon Powell (AU), Fall (1:20)

184 - Kenji Porter (CU) def. Andy Semple (AU), Dec. 6-2

197 - Josh Glenn (AU) def. Mike Bossetta (CU), Fall (3:20)

HWT - Ryan Flores (CU) def. Brooks Keefer (AU), Fall (1:00)