WASHINGTON - Senior Raymond Lopez of American University wrestling has been named the first EIWA Wrestler of the Week for the 2025-26 season following a 4-0 run and 133-lb championship at the annual Navy Classic. It's the first such honor for Lopez, coming off a season in which he led the Eagles in dual meet victories.

Lopez came from behind to earn his first win of the day over a familiar opponent, Navy's Brendan Ferretti.  He trailed 6-2 in the second period before notching a takedown to close the gap to 6-5. In the third period, Lopez scored an escape and added one more takedown to seal the 9-7 victory.

Following a 15-6 major decision victory over Binghamton's Dillon Arrick in the quarterfinals, Lopez faced Nebraska's No. 5 ranked wrestler and returning All-American, Jacob VanDee, in the semifinals. In a action-packed match, Lopez found himself behind Van Dee 9-5. With just 25 seconds remaining in the third period, Lopez put Van Dee to his back and scored an impressive pin over the All-American.

In the finals, Lopez faced an even more familiar opponent, his teammate, 2024 NCAA qualifier Maxamilian Leete. It was a tight bout between the two Eagles, and Lopez was winning 4-1 when Leete injury defaulted with about one minute left in the match.

"Ray works extremely hard and is consistent from day-to-day, therefore, his results are not surprising to those who are around him on a daily basis," said head coach Jason Borrelli. "He wrestles with a hard pace for a long time and he has big moves in his arsenal which makes him tough to beat because you can never count him out. It's like having Steph Curry on the court and being down by 3… if there is time remaining on the clock you have a chance from anywhere."

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