Wrestling 3/17/2011 12:00:00 AM

Wrestling Sends 6 to NCAA Championships in Philadelphia

2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships Notes / Complete Brackets

The American University wrestling team is sending a program-record six student-athletes to the 2011 NCAA Championships in search of the team's best-ever finish at the event. The Eagles will be led into action by All-American Steve Fittery, the second seed at 157 lbs. American's lineup will also feature 2011 EIWA Champions Ryan Flores and Matt Mariacher, as well as Patrick Graham, Daniel Mitchell and Ganbayar Sanjaa. This year's tournament is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Pa., March 17-19.

AUeagles.com will be matside throughout the tournament, keeping you updated with all the latest news via video, Twitter updates, match recaps and more. Click here to view the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships Homepage which will be updated several times each day with the latest content.

2011 NCAA Qualifiers
141 lbs. - #11 Matt Mariacher, Jr., 30-7, 2011 EIWA Champion
149 lbs. - #8 Ganbayar Sanjaa, Jr., 22-6, Placed 4th at 2011 EIWA Championship
157 lbs. - #2 Steve Fittery, Sr., 28-0, 2011 EIWA Champion
165 lbs. - Patrick Graham, So., 23-17, Placed 4th at 2011 EIWA Championship
197 lbs. - Daniel Mitchell, So., 30-7, Placed 3rd at 2011 EIWA Championship
HWT - #3 Ryan Flores, Jr., 22-5, 2011 EIWA Champion

What to Watch For
American will send two national championship contenders and four potential All-Americans onto the mat in Philadelphia in search of the program's best-ever finish at the tournament. The Eagles earned their highest finish, 14th, last season.

Fittery and Flores will both be in the hunt for a national championship as the second seed at 157 lbs. and the third seed at heavyweight, respectively. Fittery will carry a 28-0 overall record into the tournament, with 22 of his victories coming with bonus points including 13 falls, five tech-falls and four major decisions. The senior will be making his second appearance at the tournament, and was a 2010 All-American and Academic All-American.

Flores boasts a 22-5 overall record which includes 13 wins with bonus points. He has posted nine wins over ranked opponents, with seven of those opponents ranked in the top-five, including top-seeded Zach Rey of Lehigh to win the 2011 EIWA title.

Sanjaa earned his first-ever berth to the NCAAs following his fourth-place finish at the 2011 EIWA Championships. He has a 22-6 record at 149 lbs. this season. Also making his first appearance will be Mariacher, who earned his first EIWA title at 141 lbs. He has an overall record of 30-7.

Mitchell will be making his second appearance at Nationals and will carry a 30-7 mark into Philadelphia. Patrick Graham earned his first NCAA Championships bid after placing fourth at 165 lbs. at the 2011 EIWA Championships. The sophomore holds an overall record of 23-17 this season.

Schedule of Events
THURSDAY, MARCH 17
First Round: 11:00 a.m. ET on ESPN3.com
Second Round: 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 18
Quarterfinals: 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPNU & ESPN3.com
Semifinals: 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU

SATURDAY, MARCH 19
Medal Rounds: 11:00 a.m. ET on ESPNU
Finals: 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN & ESPN3.com