WASHINGTON - After over a month on the road, the American University wrestling team returns home to compete in front of a new backdrop on Friday night. AU faces off against LIU in the first-ever athletic competition in the new
Alan and Amy Meltzer Center, debuting the state-of-the-art facility. Perfectly fitting for Alumni Day, the program welcomes its former student-athletes to see the first athletics and recreational upgrade on campus in more than 30 years as the Eagles wrestle for their first EIWA dual win of the season.
Match Information
When: Friday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. vs. LIU
Where: Washington, D.C. (Alan and Amy Meltzer Center)
How to watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Takedown Live
Inside the Series
- Friday is the first ever matchup between these two programs.
Match Day Itinerary
Parking Information
- Parking on campus is $10 per contest for athletic events held after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends, available through the PayByPhone app in any garage using code (211950).
- Standard hourly garage rates apply from 8 am-10 pm in the Katzen Arts Center and School of International Service garages.
What to Know About American
- The Eagles are 4-6 in their dual schedule and 0-1 in EIWA meets, coming off a 32-7 loss to #22 Lehigh last Sunday.
- American returns home after a road trip that took the team to Michigan for three duals, then to Chattanooga for the Southern Scuffle open tournament, and lastly to Lehigh. AU's last home dual was on Dec. 5 against Maryland.
- Highlighting a 2-1 showing in Michigan, the Eagles defeated Michigan State for the first time in program history. Sparked by their lightweights, Maximilian Leete, Raymond Lopez, and Leo Maestas won three matches in a row to help take down the Big Ten foe 20-17.
- The freshman Maestas has been AU's most impactful first year wrestler, holding a 10-6 overall record with three dual wins. He earned a major decision over Lehigh's Owen Reinsel last Sunday and landed on this week's Wrestle Stat rankings at #23.
- American had its best-ever showing at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 3-4, as five Eagles finished in the top eight and Caleb Campos took second place.
- AU defeated eight ranked wrestlers on the weekend, including Leete's upset over #15 Tyler Ferrara of Cornell in overtime. He finished fourth, while JJ Peace, Lopez, and Emmanuel Ulrich all took seventh.
- Campos, Leete, and Maestas are AU's most recently ranked wrestlers. Leete leads the way at #16 (Open Mat), Campos #22 (Intermat), and Maestas earns his first ranking at #23 on Wrestle Stat.
- The senior 133-pounder Lopez leads AU in wins with 17, including six dual victories to give him a 17-4 overall record.
- Another impressive lightweight for American is the sophomore Peace, who's having a breakout season as the team's most frequent starter at 125, holding 13 wins to his name.
- Up at 285, the redshirt sophomore Ulrich has started every dual and has 14 wins overall.
- Lopez, Campos, Leete, and Jack Maida are this year's team captains. Leete and Lopez are serving in the role for the second straight season, while Campos and Maida are first-time captains.
Probable Starters for American: 4-6 (0-1)
Probable Starters for LIU: 1-10 (0-0)
- 125: Sawyer Ostroff (R-Fr.)
- 133: Chris Betancourt (Sr.)
- 141: Amir Avazov (R-Fr.)
- 149: Tommy Bonasera (R-So.)
- 157: Brayden Roberts (R-Jr.)
- 165: Jack Valentin (R-So.) or Jordan Barry (R-Fr.)
- 174: Braden Brown (R-Fr.)
- 184: Anthony D'Alesio (Gr.)
- 197: John Dusza (Sr.)
- 285: Chris Powell (Sr.) or Max Ohamuo (Fr.)
2025-26 Wrestling Individual Match Ticket Pricing
- Adults: $10
- Youth (3-14) / Senior (65+): $7
- Groups (10+ qty.): $7 (Available for purchase online!)
- Military & Veterans: Free
Prices are subject to change.
Season Ticket Pass to All Regular Season Home Duals
- 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 seven home duals! Click HERE to purchase your season tickets. Help us beat our record last year of 208!
- Adult - $40 (General Admission Seating)
- Youth (3-14) / Senior (65+) - $20 (General Admission Seating)
- Young Alumni (Graduates from the classes of 2021-2025) / Faculty/Staff - $25
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.
- Hospitality to be offered at select home duals to be announced.
- Priority to purchase tickets for EIWA and NCAA tickets.
- Under Armour wrestling sideline apparel item.
- To purchase, call the ticketing box office at 202-885-2617 or email clawed@american.edu
AU Wrestling Victory Pledge
- Support AU Wrestling by pledging $10 for every individual match won by an AU wrestler at home during the 2025–26 season.
- Your support directly fuels the success of our Wrestling Program—on and off the mat. Every takedown, every pin, every win brings us closer to greatness, and with your help, each one will mean even more. Donate HERE.
Coach Borrelli's Season Ticket Give-Back Program
- Not in the DMV, but still want to support AU Wrestling? Purchase a youth 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
Keep up With Us
- For more information on AU Wrestling, follow the team on Twitter @AU_Wrestling, Instagram @au_wrestling and Facebook @AU.Wrestling.
