WASHINGTON - After more than a month away from competition on its home mat, American University wrestling returns on Sunday, Jan. 28 to host Virginia for its annual Bender Takedown District Day at 1 p.m. Of the Eagles' last eight duals of the regular season, five will be at home in Bender Arena.
Inside the Series
- The Eagles are 0-3 all-time against Virginia dating back to the 2009-10 season, and lost 23-15 in Charlottesville last season.
What to Know about American
- The Eagles are 5-9 so far and looking to get back in the win column after dropping six of their last seven duals. Recently, AU went 1-2 at the annual Chippewa Challenge, hosted this year at Cal State Bakersfield on Jan. 14, and lost in EIWA action at Bucknell on Jan. 21.
- Three Eagles earned spots in the first release of NCAA Coaches' Rankings announced on January 22. Junior Jack Maida (12-1) is 26th at 125 pounds, junior Maximilian Leete (11-6) is 31st at 133 pounds, and grad student Will Jarrell (12-9) is 33rd at heavyweight.
- American earned back-to-back home wins over George Mason and Davidson on Nov. 21 and Dec. 2. The Eagles got six wins against Mason including a pin from Maida at 125 pounds, and won eight of 10 bouts against Davidson including four by extra points.
- Maida is 12-1 at 125 this season, down from 133 last year, and upset #4 Eddie Ventresca of fifth-ranked Virginia Tech as well as #15 Braxton Brown of Maryland. He has wrestled on just two dates since Nov. 21, beating #32 Tristan Lujan of Michigan State on Jan. 5 and going 2-1 at the Chippewa Challenge on Jan. 14.
- Leete earned his fourth pin of the season at Michigan State on January 5, and his 22 career pins are tied for seventh all-time at American.
- American is coming off a historic turnaround season in which the Eagles finished 8-12 in dual meets in 2022-23 and racked up seven more wins than in a 1-12 finish the year before.
- Maida qualified for the NCAA Championships as a sophomore last season after placing fifth at 133 lbs at the EIWA Championships. He earned a win at the national meet, pinning Jason Shaner of Oregon State in the consolation first round.
- The Eagles have four captains in 2023-24. Jarrell is serving in the role for third year in a row, graduate student Connor Bourne is a captain for a second straight year, and AU has two new captains in Maida and redshirt junior Jack Nies.
Probable Starters for American (5-9)
Probable Starters for Virginia (5-2)
*Rankings from NCAA Coaches' Rankings (Jan. 22)
2023-24 Wrestling Individual Match Ticket Pricing
- Adults: $8
- Youth (3-14) / Senior (65+): $5
- Groups/Teams in advance (10+ qty.): $3
- Military & Veterans: Free
**NEW FOR 2023-24 SEASON - VIP Matside Floor Seating (Reserved) Season Tickets
- $250 per seat, includes a donation to the wrestling program and the following benefits
- VIP matside reserved seating for all home matches.
- Access to three Eagles Club pre-match hospitality events, which includes food and beverages and a pre-match preview from a member of the Eagles wrestling coaching staff.
- Hospitality to be offered at the home duals vs. Maryland, Virginia, and Queens University (Alumni Day).
- Priority to purchase tickets for EIWA and NCAA tickets.
- Under Armour wrestling sideline apparel item.
**VIP matside seating available while supplies last, and is only available by contacting the Athletic Ticket Office by emailing Clawed@american.edu or by calling (202) 885-2617.
Stay Connected
- For more information on AU Wrestling, follow the team on Twitter @AU_Wrestling, Instagram @au_wrestling and Facebook @AU.Wrestling.
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