#9 American University Wrestling Hosts Hofstra, North Carolina State This Week on Eagles Vision TV; Watch FloresÂ’ Invitation
Release: http://aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/2011-12/releases/20120118The No. 9 American University wrestling team will kick off the home portion of its 2011-12 schedule with a pair of duals in Bender Arena, beginning with the home opener against Hofstra on Thursday, January 19 at 8 p.m. The Eagles will then welcome North Carolina State on Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m.
The Eagles remained at No. 9 in this week's InterMat national tournament-strength rankings as none of AU's four ranked wrestlers were in action over the past week. No. 1 Ryan Flores is still the top heavyweight in the country for the eighth-straight week. No. 4 Ganbayar Sanjaa, meanwhile, has held steady in the rankings all season long at 157 lbs., while No. 12 Matt Mariacher (141 lbs.) and No. 19 Daniel Mitchell (197 lbs.) both remained in the top-20 in their respective weight classes.
AU is 4-4 in dual meet action this season and rides a four-match winning streak into this week. The Eagles have defeated George Mason, Cal State Bakersfield, No. 19 Cal Poly, and No. 23 Stanford to level their record.
Hofstra (4-0) is unbeaten in dual meets this season and currently sits at No. 25 in the NWCA/USA Today dual meet team rankings after picking up victories over Wisconsin, Army, Drexel, and Kutztown. The Pride features three ranked wrestlers: No. 11 Ben Clymer (184 lbs.), No. 13 Steve Bonanno (125 lbs.), and No. 19 P.J. Gillespie (165 lbs.).
North Carolina State (3-4) has earned victories this season over George Mason, Gardner-Webb, and Campbell. The Wolfpack heads into Friday on a three-match losing streak, which has come against Bloomsburg, Virginia, and No. 17 Virginia Tech. North Carolina State features one ranked wrestler in the lineup, No. 13 Darius Little at 141 lbs.
Tickets for each dual can be purchased at the Bender Arena door. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children. For special group pricing for 10 or more people, contact Kevin Parker at kparker@american.edu or 202-885-TIXX.
Both matches this week -- as well as AU's final home dual of the season on Sunday, February 19 against Virginia Tech -- will feature live video on Eagles Vision TV, part of AUeagles.com. Each web-broadcast will feature multiple camera angles, on-screen graphics, and mat-side commentary. Yearly subscriptions, good for 365 days following your purchase, are available for $49.95. The yearly pass gives you access to all live events as well as all archived broadcasts anytime you want. Single-event subscriptions are also available for $7.95, although the event must be watched live.