WASHINGTON - For a second straight year, eight home dates highlight the schedule for American University wrestling as the Eagles get set for the 2022-23 season under second-year head coach Jason Borrelli. AU starts off on the road in early November before hosting Michigan State in the home opener on Friday, Nov. 18. Times for all dates will be added as they become available, and home matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Season tickets are on sale now to include entry to all home meets in 2022-23. For detailed ticket information, see below.

Thoughts from Coach Borrelli

• We are excited about how things came together with this year's schedule. We focused on two key concepts when putting it together: 1) National competitiveness and 2) Building our fan base.
• Our schedule is very competitive and will allow every wrestler numerous opportunities to build their resumes in preparation for the postseason. The high volume of dual meets (20) will be advantageous with the new rules surrounding extra countable matches and freshmen being able to compete attached in five competitions without burning a redshirt.
• As we continue to work hard to build our fan base, creating a solid home schedule was a high priority. Our fans will be able to see us in action against an array of conferences including the Big Ten, ACC, MAC, EIWA and the Ivy League. All our home dates are single duals, which I believe provides for a very fan-friendly environment.
• All-in-all, this should be a fun season and fans should look forward to watching an improved product out on the mat. We hope to see many of you in Bender on November 18 for our home opener against Michigan State.

Get Better by Facing the Best 

• Five teams from Power 5 conferences are on the slate for the Eagles this year, including three that are repeat opponents from last season.
• Four opponents on the 2022-23 schedule were ranked in the NWCA Coaches Poll Top 25 at the end of last season.
• American's first competition date of November 5 has the Eagles facing both Maryland and Duke in nearby College Park, along with Bloomsburg. The Blue Devils visited AU on December 5 of last season for a dual that ended in a 22-18 victory to give Borrelli his first win as an Eagle.
• Another big test comes early when AU hosts Michigan State out of the Big Ten for the 2022-23 home opener on November 18. The Spartans were ranked 15th in the final NWCA Coaches Poll of 2021-22.
• The Eagles' first home meet of the 2023 calendar year has them facing likely their toughest opponent of the season in Virginia Tech. The Hokies, ranked seventh at the end of last season, will come to Bender Arena on January 8. It will be the first time AU assistant coach Joey Dance, a two-time All-American at Virginia Tech, has faced his alma mater.
• Virginia Tech returns a number of starters including NCAA champion and two-time finalist Mekhi Lewis, and returning All-Americans Sam Latona, Bryce Andonian, and Hunter Bolen.
• For a second year in a row, American will dual against Virginia out of the ACC. The Cavaliers will host the Eagles in Charlottesville, Va. on February 4.
• The final weekend of the regular season will take AU to Philadelphia where the Eagles will face Penn and Drexel, with Penn coming off a No. 18 ranking last season and returning 10 past NCAA qualifiers.

Three Home Stretches; Eight Dates

• There are three separate stretches of home competition dates for American, with a total of eight opponents visiting Bender Arena.
• After the opener against Michigan State on November 18, the Eagles will welcome EIWA foe Army on December 3.
• The second stretch begins with Virginia Tech on January 8 and continues with EIWA opponents Columbia (January 13) and Bucknell (January 15).
• One month later is the final stretch of home duals featuring Lock Haven (February 11), Air Force (February 12) and Binghamton (February 17). 
• Gregorio's Trattoria will offer enhanced concessions for all home dates. See below for more details.

EIWA Preparation

• The Eagles will face a total of eight EIWA opponents in dual meets prior to the EIWA Championships on March 4-5 in Philadelphia, hosted by Penn.
• Home EIWA duals will be against Army, Columbia, Bucknell and Binghamton. AU will head to Sacred Heart on Dec. 21, to Hofstra on Dec. 22, and to both Penn and Drexel on Feb. 19.
• AU returns nine of 10 wrestlers who competed in the EIWA Championships in 2021-22, including Jack Maida who placed fourth at 133 pounds as a freshman.

One Year Stronger

• American was uniquely young in 2021-22, and remains quite young again this season but with a crucial year of experience.
• Last season, of the Eagles' 25 student-athletes, 15 were either freshmen or sophomores and none of those 15 had competed collegiately prior to 2021-22.
• Once again, American has a total of 25 on the roster, but this year only five will be experiencing their first collegiate matches.
• The veterans include sixth-year Colin Shannon (184) and redshirt senior Patrick Ryan (149), along with redshirt juniors Connor Bourne (197) and Will Jarrell (HWT).

Borrelli Reunion

• In a repeat of last year but with a new location, Central Michigan coaches and alums will reunite for a round robin dual on Sunday, January 22. 
• Campbell will host this year's round robin, welcoming American, Central Michigan and Bakersfield. The Chippewas of CMU were ranked 21st at the end of last season.
• The head coach of CMU, in his 32nd season, is Tom Borrelli, father of AU head coach Jason Borrelli.
• The younger Borrelli wrestled for his dad at Central Michigan, and will go up against his father and two other CMU alums in the round robin - Scott Sentes of Campbell and Luke Smith of CSU Bakersfield.

2022-23 Wrestling Ticket Pricing

• Adults: $8
• Youth (17 & below) / Senior (65+): $5
• Groups/Teams in advance (10+ qty.): $3
• Military & Veterans: Free

Season Ticket Pass To All Regular Season Home Duals

• Save over 40% off the walk up price!  Get behind the team as one of our biggest and best supporters and cheer loud and proud for the AU Wrestling team in Bender Arena with friends, family, and colleagues by purchasing your season ticket pass to all 8 home duals!  Click here to purchase your season tickets.
• Adult - $40
• Youth (17 and below) / Senior (65+) - $20

Coach Borrelli's Season Ticket Give-Back Program – DONATE SEASON TICKETS

• Not in the DMV, but still want to support AU Wrestling?  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.  Click here to purchase your donated season tickets.

Host Your Group Outing in the Bender Arena Skybox

• Skybox: $350 (email clawed@american.edu for inquiries)
• Luxury seating at an affordable price.
• Click Here to learn more about hosting your next event in style!

Birthday Parties

• Want to host your child's birthday around an AU wrestling home dual? Birthday packages are just $15 dollars per person and include semi-private party space on the Bender concourse, tickets, goodie bags, pizza, juice boxes, your child's name on the scoreboard and a visit from AU mascot Clawed the Eagle. Parents, we do it all for you! Call (202) 885-2617 or email Clawed@american.edu to book your next birthday party at an Eagles wrestling dual!
• Click here to fill out an official birthday party request for your child's birthday with AU Athletics! 

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.