WASHINGTON - Three opponents will visit Bender Arena to take on American University wrestling this weekend, with duals set for both Friday and Sunday. The Eagles will host #12 Rutgers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and will face both Duke (11:30 a.m.) and Hofstra (1 p.m.) on Sunday, Dec. 5. Those two teams will also compete against each other in a neutral-site match at 10 a.m. that morning. Tickets can be purchased
HERE, and students are admitted free with a valid AU Student ID.
Proof of Vaccination Required for Entry into Bender Arena
- In the interest of public health and in accordance with American University's commitment to maintaining a vaccinated community on campus, AU Athletics will require proof of vaccination for all spectators 12 and older when attending sporting events inside Bender Arena.
- Proof of vaccination can be achieved by showing one's vaccine card, a photo of one's card or a digital vaccine record.
- Due to AU's requirement that current students and faculty/staff be vaccinated, those with a current AU ID will not need to show further proof of vaccination.
- Read the full policy HERE.
Mask Policy at AU Athletics Events
- Individuals are required to wear masks to all American University athletics events, per current AU guidelines.
- We also encourage social distancing at all of our venues.
Enhanced Bender Arena Concessions for 2021-22 Home Duals
- AU Athletics has partnered with Gregorio's Trattoria to provide an enhanced concessions menu for all home wrestling duals this 2021-22 season in Bender Arena.
- Fans can enjoy Gregorio's favorites including menu selections of pizza, Italian sausage and peppers, hot and cold sub sandwiches and wraps, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chips and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
- Credit cards and cash accepted.
- No outside food or beverages permitted into Bender Arena.
Inside the Series
- Rutgers holds a 6-1 lead on American since 2006, and has won six straight since the Eagles' lone victory on Feb. 11, 2006 (29-12).
- The most recent meeting vs. Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights win at home, 31-6, on Jan. 10, 2014.
- Duke and American are tied 2-2 all-time, with the Eagles taking the most recent dual in 2018 by a score of 26-14.
- The Blue Devils won the last meeting that took place in Bender, 23-13 on Jan. 31, 2016.
- Hofstra leads AU 11-2 dating back to the 1980-81 season, but the Eagles were victorious in the most recent dual, 22-12 on Jan. 13, 2019 at American.
- Prior to 2019, the most recent dual between AU and Hofstra was won by the Pride, 26-14 on Jan. 25, 2015.
What to Know About American
- The Eagles are still looking for their first dual victory after three losses to start the season including a one-point defeat at the hands of Sacred Heart and a loss to George Mason after an early 13-0 lead.
- Rutgers holds a 6-1 lead on American since 2006, and has won six straight since the Eagles' lone victory on Feb. 11, 2006 (29-12). The most recent meeting saw the Scarlet Knights win at home, 31-6, on Jan. 10, 2014.
- Five AU wrestlers earned placewinner finishes at the Bearcat Open hosted by Binghamton on Nov. 14, led by Isaac Righter (285) who took second. Four Eagles were placewinners at the Navy Classic on Nov. 20, all taking fifth place (Andy Fallon at 125, Patrick Ryan at 149, Tim Fitzpatrick at 165 and Colin Shannon at 174).
- When American started the season on Nov. 6, it had been just over 600 days since the Eagles' full team was last in action on March 6-7, 2020 at the EIWA Championships.
- The Eagles are under new leadership with head coach Jason Borrelli coming into his first season after 13 years at Stanford. Borrelli's staff includes associate head coach Alex Tirapelle, assistant coach Joey Dance and volunteer assistant coach Ganbayar Sanjaa.
- The team captains for 2021-22 are redshirt juniors Tim Fitzpatrick and Patrick Ryan along with junior Will Jarrell.
- American went without a dual match in 2020-21 due to a variety of factors including health & safety protocols and team readiness. Three wrestlers competed at the EIWA Championships and two of those advanced to the NCAA Championships including current redshirt junior Tim Fitzpatrick.
- Of the 25 wrestlers on the roster this season, just seven had ever competed collegiately prior to November. Ten are true freshmen, and another eight joined the team last season but did not see action on the competition mat.
- Overall, the Eagles are hosting 10 opponents over eight home dates in 2021-22 after being unable to have a home meet last year. The eight home dates are the most for American since the 2016-17 season, and span nearly four months.
American Probable Starters
125 -
Max Leete, Fr. (7-3) or
Andy Fallon, So. (7-4)
133 -
Jack Maida, Fr. (2-5)
141 -
Ethan Szerencsits, So. (5-7)
149 -
Patrick Ryan, RJr. (9-5)
157 -
Antonio Segura, Fr. (4-7)
165 -
Tim Fitzpatrick, RJr. (7-5)
174 -
Colin Shannon, RSr. (4-5) or
Ben Root, RJr. (3-6)
184 -
Mervin Mancia, Fr. (0-4)
197 -
Will Jarrell, Jr. (6-4) or
Carsten Rawls, Fr. (2-5)
HWT -
Isaac Righter, So. (6-4)
Rutgers Probable Starters
125 - #23 Dylan Shawver, Fr. (7-0)
133 - #11 Sammy Alvarez, So. (6-1) or Devon Britton, RFr. (6-2)
141 - #4 Sebastian Rivera, Gr. (6-0)
149 - #25 Michael VanBrill, RSr. (7-0)
157 - Robert Kanniard, RFr. (4-2)
165 - Andrew Clark, Fr. (6-7) or Gerard Angelo, RSo. (1-0)
174 - #15 Jackson Turley, So. (0-1) or Connor O'Neill, Fr. (4-3)
184 - #5 John Poznanski, Fr. (8-0)
197 - #13 Greg Bulsak, Gr. (6-0) or Kyle Epperly, Fr. (5-2)
HWT - #24 Boone McDermott, RSo. (5-1)
Duke Probable Starters
125 - Logan Agin, So. (4-5)
133 - Drake Doolittle, RSo. (3-5)
141 - Patrick Rowland, RSo. (3-7)
149 - #11 Josh Finesilver, RSr. (9-1)
157 - Wade Unger, Jr. (6-5)
165 - Brandon LaRue, RSo. (4-6)
174 - #7 Matt Finesilver, RSr. (10-0) or Conor Becker, So. (1-2)
184 - Vincent Baker, Jr. (5-5)
197 - Kaden Russell, RSr. (6-4)
HWT - Jonah Niesenbaum, Jr. (9-2)
Hofstra Probable Starters
125 - Jacob Moon, Fr. (0-3)
133 - Dylan Acevedo-Switzer, Fr. (0-5) or Ty Cymmerman, Fr. (2-3)
141 - Justin Hoyle, So. (3-4) or Mario Biancamano, RFr. (0-0)
149 - Michael Leandrou, So. (4-5)
157 - Joe McGinty, Fr. (5-3)
165 - Ricky Stamm, RSr. (5-4)
174 - Ross McFarland, RFr. (1-1) or Ericson Velasquez, Fr. (0-1) or Corey Langner, RSo. (0-1)
184 - #26 Charles Small, Sr. (4-3) or James Watterson, Fr. (1-4)
197 - #28 Trey Rogers, Jr. (4-2)
HWT - #20 Zachary Knighton-Ward, RSr. (6-1) or Ben Somerville, RFr. (0-5)
Season Tickets on Sale Now -- Save Big
- Cheer loud and proud for the AU Wrestling team in Bender Arena with friends, family, and colleagues by purchasing your season ticket to all home duals!
- Adult: $45
- Youth (17 and below): $20
- Senior (65+): $20
- Pricing subject to 6% DC sales tax
- Click here to purchase your tickets online at AUeagles.com/TIckets
- Require Accessible Seating? Interested in group tickets of 10+, or renting out the Bender Arena Skybox to watch a match in style? Email clawed@american.edu or call 202.885.TIXX.
Not in the DMV or Can't Make all the Matches?
- Purchase a season ticket to support the wrestling program and return any unwanted tickets back to the ticket office and we will donate your ticket(s) to a local youth wrestling club or organization.
- This program will allow the youth wrestlers of the DMV to experience high-quality Division-I wrestling in person.
- For questions on this community give-back program please email clawed@american.edu.
How to Watch ESPN+
- A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $6.99/month or $69.99/year.
- Only AU duals will be broadcast this weekend, and on the call for all three will be Jeremy Huber (pxp) and Jason Grimes (analyst).
Stay Connected
- For more information on AU Wrestling, follow the team on Twitter @AU_Wrestling, Instagram @au_wrestling and Facebook @AU.Wrestling.
- To receive email updates, home dual previews and special offers from AU Wrestling throughout the season, please fill out this interest form.
