Release: http://aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/2011-12/releases/20111111
The No. 7 American University wrestling team will officially open its 2011-12 season this Saturday, November 12 at the Brockport/Oklahoma Invitational in Brockport, N.Y.
American begins the season with four nationally-ranked wrestlers, led by senior Ryan Flores, the No. 2-ranked heavyweight and last year's national runner-up. Classmate Ganbayar Sanjaa is ranked No. 4 at 157 lbs. after also earning All-America honors last season. Both Flores and Sanjaa were selected this week to participate in this year's NWCA All-Star Classic, marking the first time the Eagles will be sending multiple wrestlers to the prestigious event.
Redshirt senior Matt Mariacher enters the weekend at No. 7 at 141 lbs. while Daniel Mitchell is No. 8 at 197 lbs. Both wrestlers qualified for the NCAAs a year ago.
The Eagles are the highest ranked team in the eight-team field at Brockport, coming into the weekend at No. 7 in the IntraMat national rankings. The tournament will feature three other top-25 programs in this week's rankings, No. 9 Maryland, No. 14 Rutgers, and No. 18 Oklahoma. Clarion, Buffalo, Army, and host Brockport round out the field.
The action will get underway on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.