WASHINGTON - Two conference duals are on the docket for American University wrestling this weekend, as the Eagles (4-5) get set to host EIWA foes Columbia (0-3) and Bucknell (3-3) in Bender Arena. The dual against the Lions is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, while the second dual against the Bison will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Enhanced Concessions in Bender Arena

• AU Athletics has partnered with Gregorio's Trattoria to provide an enhanced concessions menu for all home wrestling matches this 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, desserts and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
• Credit cards are accepted.
• NO outside food or beverages are permitted into Bender Arena. 

What to Know about the Opponents

• The Eagles trail Columbia 3-6 all-time, and trail Bucknell 5-9 all-time.
• The Bison won 29-9 in Lewisburg last year, while the Lions edged AU 21-20 in 2019-20.
• AU beat both teams during the 2018-19 season.
• The projected match at 165 against Bucknell will be a rematch from the Navy Classic in November, when freshman Caleb Campos beat Chase Barlow 7-4 to earn seventh place.
• Possible AU starter and redshirt junior Will Jarrell beat projected Bucknell starter Dorian Crosby by 10-2 major decision on his way to taking fifth at the Navy Classic.
• If sophomore Jack Maida (133) is healthy enough to return this weekend, he will face Bucknell junior Kurt Phipps, ranked No. 22 by Intermat. Maida beat Phipps 5-3 in sudden victory OT during last season's EIWA Championships.
• Phipps is currently the only ranked wrestler for Bucknell, while Columbia has five starters ranked by Intermat. The best of those is #17 Josh Ogunsanya at 165 pounds.
• The Lions are winless so far at 0-3 with losses to #4 Ohio State (33-6), #6 Michigan (38-6) and #15 Pittsburgh (19-18).
• The Bison are 3-3, most recently edging Hofstra 18-17 on January 9.

What to Know about American

• With four dual wins already in 2022-23, American is showing huge improvement over last year when the Eagles had just one dual victory. Recently, AU scored a dominant, 41-3 rout of Sacred Heart and a 21-16 defeat of Hofstra—both on the road.
• AU's 41 points at Sacred Heart were the most scored in seven years, and the margin of victory was the highest in eight years.
• Overall, AU has 41 pins this season with 11 duals still remaining, which is five more than last season's overall total of 36 pins.
• Leading all wrestlers in NCAA Division I in total pins this season is sophomore Maximilian Leete (125) with nine. His 15 career pins are also 11th all-time in program history.
• Leete also has the most wins for AU this season at 15-5, followed by sophomore Jack Maida (133) at 13-4 and freshman Caleb Campos (165) at 11-5.
• Campos (165) has won six straight bouts and was one of two Eagles to get a win vs. #8 Virginia Tech, along with redshirt senior Patrick Ryan (149). Campos pinned Kylan Montgomery in 2:22.
• Leete (125) placed sixth at the F&M Open on Jan. 6, while Maida (133) and sophomore Carsten Rawls (184) were both eighth. Leete was 5-1 and unable to advance further due to the NCAA daily match limit. He pinned his first three opponents, bringing his season pin total to nine.
• With 15 career pins in less than two full seasons, Leete already ranks 11th all-time at American.
• Campos (165) and redshirt junior Connor Bourne (197) both pulled out dual wins in a tough match vs. Army West Point, with Campos defeating the #28-ranked wrestler, Dalton Harkins.
• Both Leete (125) and Campos (165) are currently ranked #32 by WrestleStat.
• Out of 11 placewinners for AU at The Citadel Open on Nov. 13, the Eagles had two champions. Freshman Raymond Lopez went 4-0 in winning at 125 pounds, and Maida was 4-0 on his way to victory at 133 pounds.
• American's captains for 2022-23 are redshirt junior Connor Bourne, redshirt junior Will Jarrell, and redshirt senior Patrick Ryan.
• The Eagles will face eight total EIWA opponents in dual meets prior to the EIWA Championships on March 4-5 in Philadelphia, hosted by Penn. AU returns nine of 10 wrestlers who competed in the EIWA Championships in 2021-22, including Maida who placed fourth at 133 pounds as a freshman.

Probable Starters for American

• 125 - Maximilian Leete (So., 15-6)
• 133 - Shamil Kalmatov (So., 3-8) or Jack Maida (So., 13-4)
• 141 - Ethan Szerencsits (R-So., 7-7) or Raymond Lopez (Fr., 8-7)
• 149 - Patrick Ryan (R-Sr., 5-8) or Antonio Segura (So., 2-6)
• 157 - Jack Nies (R-So., 8-8)
• 165 - Caleb Campos (Fr., 12-5)
• 174 - Lucas White (R-Fr., 5-12)
• 184 - Colin Shannon (Gr., 8-8) or Carsten Rawls (So., 8-10)
• 197 - Connor Bourne (R-Jr., 7-4) or Liam Volk-Klos (Fr., 4-5)
• HWT - Will Jarrell (R-Jr., 9-6) or Isaac Righter (R-So., 7-5)

Probable Starters for Columbia (0-3)

• 125 - Nick Babin (Jr., 10-7)
• 133 - #32 Angelo Rini (Jr., 7-6)
• 141 - #27 Matt Kazimir (Sr., 9-5)
• 149 - Danny Fongaro (Sr., 11-7)
• 157 - #27 Cesar Alvan (So., 10-3) or Andy Garr (Jr., 6-10)
• 165 - #17 Joshua Ogunsanya (Jr., 9-4)
• 174 - #32 Lennox Wolak (Jr., 9-4) or Nick Fine (So., 5-2)
• 184 - Jack Wehmeyer (Fr., 6-5) or Aaron Ayzerrov (So., 10-4)
• 197 - Javen Jovero (So., 6-9)
• HWT - Dan Conley (Sr., 7-8) or Billy McChesney (Fr., 10-9)

*Rankings from Intermat

Probable Starters for Bucknell (3-3)

• 125 - Grayson McLellan (Fr., 0-8)
• 133 - #22 Kurt Phipps (Jr., 20-8)
• 141 - Dylan Chappell (So., 15-6)
• 149 - Braden Bower (Fr., 12-7) or Kolby DePron (So., 7-9)
• 157 - Riley Bower (Fr., 2-6)
• 165 - Chase Barlow (Fr., 7-12)
• 174 - Sam Barnes (Sr., 9-13)
• 184 - Mikey Bartush (Fr., 9-7)
• 197 - Mason McCready (Sr., 9-6) or Nolan Springer (So. 9-10)
• HWT - Dorian Crosby (Jr., 10-9)

*Rankings from Intermat

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 home duals!  Click here to purchase your season tickets.
• Adult - $40
• Youth (17 and below) / Senior (65+) - $20

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.

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