Release: http://aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/2011-12/releases/20120217
The No. 10 American University wrestling team will compete in its final dual of the season when it welcomes Virginia Tech to Bender Arena this Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m. A live video broadcast of the dual will be available on Eagles Vision TV, part of AUeagles.com.
American (7-7) is ranked No. 10 in this week's InterMat national tournament-strength rankings. AU split its two duals last Sunday at the NWCA National Duals, falling to No. 21 Oklahoma before picking up its first-ever program victory over Central Michigan, the No. 25-ranked dual team according to the NWCA/USA Today national poll.
No. 1 Ryan Flores remains at the top of the heavyweight rankings for the 12th straight week. Flores is a perfect 13-0 this year after recording two pins on Sunday, increasing his season total to nine. The senior has earned victories in 24 of his last 25 bouts dating back to last season.
No. 3 Ganbayar Sanjaa stays constant in the 157 lbs. rankings this week after picking up a fall and a decision at the National Duals. The senior is 17-2 this year with three pins, three major decisions, and one technical fall.
Matt Mariacher is No. 16 at 141 lbs. this week after splitting his two bouts last week. His loss came to No. 3 Kendric Maple of Oklahoma while he earned a major decision over Central Michigan's Scott Mattingly. The senior leads AU in wins this year with 19, which includes five major decisions, two pins, and two technical falls.
Virginia Tech (8-5) comes into Sunday's dual after splitting a pair of duals at Iowa State's regional at NWCA National Duals. The Hokies defeated Northern Iowa, 20-17, in their opening match before dropping a 31-3 dual to No. 4 Iowa in the semifinals. Virginia Tech features three ranked wrestlers in the projected lineup -- No. 6 Devin Carter (133 lbs.), No. 8 Pete Yates (165 lbs.), and No. 20 Zach Neibert (141 lbs.). The Hokies are ranked No. 28 in this week's InterMat tournament-strength rankings, but are No. 22 in the NWCA/USA Today poll that is based on dual meet performance.
Prior to Sunday's dual, American seven senior student-athletes -- Corey Borshoff, Glenn Donatelli, Flores, Mariacher, Sanjaa, Tanner Shaffer, and Thomas Williams -- will be honored. The senior class was part of AU's program-record fifth-place finish at last year's NCAA Championships where the Eagles earned three All-Americans and a NWCA-record six Academic All-Americans.
Sunday is the date of AU wrestling's annual "Bender Takedown" event, featuring free Domino's Pizza, free Coca-Cola products, and free Robeks smoothies for AU students prior to the start of the dual. Admission is free for AU students with a valid student ID.
Tickets for the general public are available for $8 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets can be purchased in the Bender Arena lobby prior to the dual on Sunday.
Sunday's dual will be broadcast on Eagles Vision TV, part of AUeagles.com. The 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, which includes archives from AU's home duals versus Hofstra and North Carolina State earlier this season. Single-event subscriptions are also available for $7.95, although the event must be watched live.
Fans can receive in-progress scores and results by following AU wrestling on Twitter.
Click here for updated season statistics.