The American University wrestling team will host Navy on Friday,
January 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the team's first home dual meet of the
season. American defeated Navy for the first time in school history
last year, 19-17, courtesy of a 5-3 overtime decision earned by #12
Kyle
Borshoff. The Eagles are coming off an eighth-place
finish at the 47th Annual Midlands Championships where
#5 Steve
Fittery was crowned Champion of Champions.
American's eighth-place showing at the Midlands matched the
Eagles' best-ever finish at the tournament. A program record three
student-athletes finished on the podium, including Fittery who the
157 lbs. title, #4 Mike
Cannon who placed second at 184 lbs., and Borshoff who
took seventh at 149 lbs. Fittery was the only wrestler out of the
EIWA to win an individual title at the event as American finished
second among EIWA schools in the team standings.
Fittery was named the Champion of Champions following the
tournament, an honor voted on by all 10 individual champions.
Fittery won five matches over the course of the tournament, three
by major decision, one by tech-fall and one by fall. He was also
named the EIWA Wrestler of the Week, TheMat.com Wrestler of the
Week and the American University Student-Athlete of the Week
presented by GEICO for his performance.
Cannon earned his 100th career victory at the
Midlands, making him one of only four student-athletes in American
history to reach 100 wins. Cannon's career record now stands at
103-17, putting him two wins behind Chris Toth, '90, for third
place all-time in school history.
The Eagles enter Friday's meet with a 2-4 dual meet record,
having defeated Michigan and Northern Colorado at the Journeymen /
BRUTE Northeast Duals. Freshman Blake
Herrin pushed American to a 20-19 victory over the
Wolverines, earning a 3-2 decision against Eddie Phillips in the
final bout of the dual to steal the victory. American won nine of
10 weight classes against the Bears of Northern Colorado en route
to a 40-4 victory.
American earned its first-ever win over Navy last year in
Annapolis, Md., 19-17. The Eagles trailed 14-6 after the first five
weight classes but completed the comeback in the final bout as
Borshoff defeated then #5 Bryce Saddoris in sudden-victory
overtime, 5-3.
This year's meet should prove to be just as exciting as the two
teams will put a combined six student-athletes featured in the
InterMat National Rankings on the mat. The featured bout of the
night will pit the fifth-ranked Fittery against Saddoris who is
currently ranked eighth. Saddoris holds a record of 18-8 this
season and was an NCAA All-American and EIWA Champion last year.
Friday's dual will be the first of the year for Navy which placed
10th at last week's Southern Scuffle.
Tickets to Friday's dual are priced at $8 for adults and $5 for
youth under 17 and can be purchased at the door. Admission for all
American University students with a valid ID is free.
Fans unable to attend Friday's dual can catch all of the action
live on Eagles Vision TV. Featuring multiple
camera angles and a live scoreboard, Eagles Vision TV provides
American fans unprecedented coverage of their favorite teams. Allen
Brown has returned for another season as the play-by-play voice of
American wrestling. He will be joined on Friday's broadcast by
long-time referee Jim Johnson and EIWA Hall of Famer and former
NCAA finalist Wayne Hicks. To sign up for Eagles Vision
TV today, click here.
Projected Lineups
125 - #20 Jasen
Borshoff (11-3) vs. Aaron Kalil (11-7)
133 - Thomas
Williams (10-8) vs. Pat McCaffrey (10-7)
141 - Jordan
Lipp (8-10)/Corey
Borshoff (0-4)/Nick
Pitas (0-4) vs. Matt Pagan (15-10)
149 - #12 Kyle
Borshoff (10-2)/Sean
McCarty (3-4) vs. Glenn Shober (14-8)
157 - #5 Steve
Fittery (18-1) vs. #8 Bryce Saddoris (18-8)
165 - Tanner
Shaffer (4-11) vs. Robby Neill (12-9)
174 - Phillip
Barreiro (2-6) vs. Matt DeMichiel (12-10)
184 - #4 Mike
Cannon (11-1) vs. Andrew Buck (11-7)
197 - Kenneth
Clessas (2-10) vs. Charles Carafano (6-4)
HWT - Mingo
Grant (12-6)/Blake
Herrin (6-3) vs. #9 Scott Steele (4-1)
