The American University wrestling team nearly pulled off an upset of #12 Indiana but fell just one point short to go 1-1 on Saturday at the Indiana Duals. The Eagles lost to the Hoosiers, 23-22, despite winning five weight classes and handily defeated Cleveland State in its second dual, 37-10.

Indiana, which entered the day a perfect 9-0 in dual meets, got on the scoreboard first as #1 Angel Escobedo earned a 13-5 major decision over #19 Jasen Borshoff at 125 lbs. Thomas Williams then got the Eagles on the board with a 6-0 decision over Matt Ortega at 133 lbs., scoring on an escape and takedown in the second period to take the advantage. Jordan Lipp followed Williams with a 4-0 decision over Danny Monaco at 141 lbs. Lipp scored a takedown midway through the first period and accrued five minutes or riding time to push the team scores to 6-4 in favor of American.

#12 Kyle Borshoff extended the Eagles advantage to 12-4 with a first period pin of 149-pounder Matt Coughlin. K. Borshoff scored a five-point maneuver early in the period before getting the fall 2:25 in.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the day, #4 Steve Fittery had his way with #7 Kurt Kinser at 157 lbs. and earned a 17-1 tech-fall. Fittery scored two takedowns in the first period and added two back points in the second to take a 6-1 lead. He began the third period with a quick reversal and hit Kinser with a three-point near fall to go ahead 11-1. Two more sets of back points and over four minutes of riding time gave Fittery the tech-fall, 17-1, moving the team scores to 17-4.

Indiana battled its way back into the meet with back-to-back wins at 165 lbs. and 174 lbs. #13 Paul Young scored six team points with a fall over 165-pounder Tanner Shaffer 1:57 into the first. Trevor Perry then took a 22-10 major decision over Phillip Barreiro at 174 lbs. bringing the Hoosiers to within three, 17-14.

#4 Mike Cannon got American back on track with a tech-fall over Eric Cameron at 184 lbs. to give the Eagles a 22-14 lead. Cannon scored a takedown in the first and used a tilt to hit Cameron with three sets of back points to gain an 8-0 advantage heading into the second. Leading 10-0 to begin the third, Cannon quickly scored an escape and takedown to go ahead 13-0. Two back points and riding time gave Cannon the tech-fall, 16-0.

American was unable to hold off the Hoosiers in the final two weight classes, however, as Indiana scored a pair of bonus point victories to steal the match, 23-22. Matt Powless earned a 20-6 major decision over Kenneth Clessas at 197 lbs. to put Indiana within reach before #2 Nate Everhart won an 18-3 tech-fall over Blake Herrin at heavyweight.

American returned to the mat moments later against Cleveland State and handed the Vikings a 37-10 loss. The Eagles took a 28-0 lead with five straight wins to open the meet, including a pair of pins by Lipp and Fittery and a pair of tech-falls by Williams and K. Borshoff. Cleveland State got on the board with wins at 165 lbs. and 174 lbs. to move the score to 28-7 before Cannon pinned Nick Anthony 1:52 into the 184 lbs. bout to all but finish off the Vikings.  Cleveland State also picked up a victory at 197 lbs. before Mingo Grant finished off the dual with a 7-5 sudden victory decision.

Cannon moved into third place on American's all-time wins list with his two victories on Saturday, passing Chris Toth, '90. The two-time All-American's career record now stands at 106-17, placing him four wins shy of tying Josh Glenn, '08, at 110 wins for second place. Cannon is 14-1 this season.

Fittery improved to 21-1 with his wins while K. Borshoff moved to 13-2 and J. Borshoff 13-4. Williams is now 12-9 and Grant 13-6.

American will return to action next weekend with a pair of dual meets at home in Bender Arena. The Eagles will first face Duke on Saturday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m. and the next day will host Ohio at 12:00 p.m. Both matches can be seen live on Eagles Vision TV, featuring multiple camera angles, a live scoreboard and analysis from a mat side broadcast team. To sign up for Eagles Vision TV, click here.

Indiana 23, American 22
125 lbs.- #1 Angel Escobedo (IU) maj. dec. over #19 Jasen Borshoff (AU), 13-5 (Team Score: 4-0)
133 lbs- Thomas Williams (AU) dec. over Matt Ortega (IU), 6-0 (4-3)
141 lbs.- Jordan Lipp (AU) dec. over Danny Monaco (IU), 4-0 (4-6)
149 lbs.- #12 Kyle Borshoff (AU) pins Matt Coughlin (IU), 2:25 (4-12)
157 lbs.- #4 Steve Fittery (AU) tech falls #7 Kurt Kinser (IU), 17-1 (4-17)
165 lbs.- #13 Paul Young (IU) pins Tanner Shaffer (AU), 1:57 (10-17)
174 lbs.- Trevor Perry (IU) maj. dec. over Phillip Barreiro (AU), 22-10 (14-17)
184 lbs.- #4 Mike Cannon (AU) tech falls Eric Cameron (IU), 17-0 (14-22)
197 lbs.- Matt Powless (IU) maj. dec. over Kenneth Clessas (AU), 20-6 (18-22)
285 lbs.- #2 Nate Everhart (IU) tech falls Blake Herrin (AU), 18-3 (23-22)


American 37, Cleveland State 10
125 lbs.- #19 Jasen Borshoff (AU) wins by forfeit (Team Score: 6-0)
133 lbs.- Thomas Williams (AU) tech falls Zech Huff (CSU), 16-1 (11-0)
141 lbs.- Jordan Lipp (AU) pins Mike Mencini (CSU), 5:57 (17-0)
149 lbs.- #12 Kyle Borshoff (AU) tech falls Dan Castillo (CSU), 24-9 (22-0)
157 lbs.- #4 Steve Fittery (AU) pins Corey Carlo (CSU), 3:37 (28-0)
165 lbs.- Rob Michaels (CSU) maj. dec. over Tanner Shaffer (AU), 15-2 (28-4)
174 lbs.- Marcus Effner (CSU) dec. over Phillip Barreiro (AU), 8-4 (28-7)
184 lbs.- #4 Mike Cannon (AU) pins Nick Anthony (CSU), 1:52 (34-7)
197 lbs.- Jeff Schuler (CSU) dec. Kenneth Clessas (AU), 10-3 (34-10)
285 lbs.- Mingo Grant (AU) dec. Chris Weber (CSU), 7-5 (SV) (37-10)