Feb. 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University wrestling team will travel to Bucknell on Sunday for its final Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association dual meet of the year at Davis Gym at 1 p.m. No. 6 Mike Cannon will lead the Eagles into action as he looks to extend his current eight match win streak.

AU last wrestled on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at No. 23 Maryland. The Eagles climbed their way back from an early 0-9 deficit against the Terrapins to take the lead, 14-13, following Cannon's win by pin fall at 165 lbs., but lost control of the match in the upper weights and lost, 14-37. Kyle Borshoff won his 141 lbs. match by tech-fall, 17-2, and Christopher Stout also put AU on the board with a 4-2 decision at 157 lbs.

The loss dropped American to 3-13 overall while it remained 1-4 in the EIWA. Wednesday's dual was AU's sixth against a ranked opponent this season and the second of four road duals to end the regular season.

The most highly anticipated match on Sunday should come at 165 lbs. where Cannon, ranked sixth in the county, will face off against No. 19 Andy Rendos. Cannon is currently in the midst of an eight match win streak which dates back to Jan. 9. Seven of Cannon's eight wins during the streak have come with bonus points, including three major decisions, two tech-falls and two falls, while the other was a 4-2 decision over No. 18 Chris Brown of No. 19 Old Dominion. Cannon is 20-2 overall, 15-1 in dual meets and 5-0 against the EIWA. He is tied for the team lead in wins, falls (7), and tech-falls (3), and is second in major decisions (4). Both Cannon and Rendos have 49 career wins under their belts and will be seeking number 50 on Sunday.

Borshoff, who dropped out of the rankings this week after tipping the charts at 20th on Feb. 5, is slated to square off with fellow sophomore Luke Chohany at 141 lbs. Borshoff, like Cannon, has won each of his last eight matches dating back to Jan. 9. Borshoff has recorded one major decision, two tech-falls and one fall during the streak and picked up his first win over a ranked opponent on Feb. 3 when he defeated then No. 18 Ryan Williams of No. 19 Old Dominion, 5-2. Borshoff is 20-6 on the year with a 13-3 dual meet record and 5-0 mark in the EIWA. Borshoff is tied for the team lead in wins, ranks second in falls (5) and third in tech-falls (2).

Stout will put his five match win streak on the line Sunday against Bucknell's Brantley Hooks at 157 lbs. Stout's streak began at American's tri-meet on Jan. 22 with wins against UNC Greensboro and Campbell. After beginning the season 4-4, Stout has won 16 of his last 22 matches with 13 wins coming with bonus points. At 20-10, Stout is tied for the team in wins, bonus point victories (14) and tech-falls (3), and is the outright leader in major decisions (9). Stout is 10-6 in dual meets this season and 3-2 against the EIWA.

Matt Mariacher will face No. 18 David Marble on Sunday, marking the sixth time this season that the freshman has been pitted against a ranked opponent. At 13-11, Mariacher has fared well against some of the nation's toughest 133-pounders. From Dec. 2-29, Mariacher enjoyed a season-high five match win streak which included two falls and wins against EIWA foe Lehigh and local rival George Mason. Mariacher is 9-7 in dual meets and 4-1 against the EIWA. He has recorded one major decision and is third on the team with three falls.

The Bison are 7-10-1 on the year and 2-3 in the EIWA. They will be looking to end a three match loosing streak on Friday, Feb. 15, at home against East Stroudsburg before welcoming AU to their campus on Sunday. Rendos leads the team with a 22-6 overall record and 5-0 mark in the EIWA. Rendos has won nine bouts by major decision, three by tech-fall and three by fall. Marble and Shane Riccio are the only other two Bison to have eclipsed 20 wins this season at 21-5 and 20-6, respectively. Marble has five major decisions, two tech-falls and three falls to his credit while Riccio, a 174-pounder, has one fall. Marble is 4-1 against the EIWA and Riccio is 4-0.