Feb. 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University wrestling team will take on local foe No. 23 Maryland Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Comcast Pavilion as it continues its four-match road swing to close out the regular season.

American is just 3-12 overall on the year and 1-4 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. Wednesday will mark the sixth time this season that the Eagles have taken on a team ranked in the top-25.

AU is returning to the mat fresh off the first leg of its road trip on Sunday to EIWA rival Rutgers. The Eagles won four weight classes against the Scarlet Knights but forfeits at 125 lbs. and heavyweight doomed AU as it dropped the match, 28-13. No. 7 Mike Cannon, No. 20 Kyle Borshoff and Christopher Stout each picked up their 19th wins of the season against Rutgers, earning decisions of 11-1, 8-4 and 14-12, respectively. Freshman Matt Mariacher also earned a victory on Sunday, his 13th of the year, 7-1.

American will be led into action on Wednesday by 165 lbs. Cannon and 141 lbs. Borshoff. Cannon has won each of his last seven matches, including six with bonus points (3 MD, 2 TF, 1 F), and is 19-2 on the year. In dual meets Cannon has posted a 14-1 record and against EIWA competition he is a perfect 5-0.

Borshoff meanwhile is 19-6 overall and has an active seven match win streak of his own. Borshoff is undefeated in conference matches at 5-0 and has a 12-3 mark in dual meets.

157 lbs. Stout and 133 lbs. Mariacher will also take the mat on Wednesday looking to improve upon their already impressive seasons. Stout is tied with both Cannon and Borshoff for the team lead in wins with a 19-10 record. Stout also leads the team in bonus point victories as he has racked up nine wins by major decision, three by tech-fall and two by fall.

Mariacher has posted a 13-10 overall record in his freshman campaign and is 4-1 in the conference. Mariacher has faced stiff competition this year with five of his 10 defeats coming against opponents ranked top-20 in the country.

125 lbs. starter Jasen Borshoff and 197 lbs. No. 1 Josh Glenn will not be in action for AU at Maryland.

The Terrapins will enter Wednesday's competition ranked 23rd in the nation with a 13-4 dual meet record. Maryland last saw action on Feb. 3 against Columbia whom they beat, 22-12, thanks to victories at six weight classes.

The Terps are led by 174-pounder No. 9 Mike Letts, 184-pounder No. 19 Josh Haines and 197-pounder No. 7 Taylor Hudson. Letts is 17-4 with seven major decisions, one tech-fall and three falls this season. Haines has posted a 12-5 record with three major decisions and two falls while Hudson is 23-2 with four major decisions, one tech-fall and 14 falls.