The AU wrestling team is off to a record-setting season with four straight victories and four grapplers in the top 20.
Junior Steve Fittery is ranked third in the nation by InterMat, a Web site focusing on NCAA wrestling news, and is 24-1 on the year. The 157-pounder won the Keystone Classic title and the Midlands Championships. Following December’s Midlands Championships, the 10 other winners at the competition honored Fittery with their votes for “Champion of Champions.”
Fourth-ranked redshirt senior Mike Cannon has dominated the 184-pound weight division with a 17-1 record this season. His victories include a 9-0 major decision at the Keystone Classic to claim his fourth consecutive title. The two-time All-American holds a career record of 109-18 and is just one win shy of joining 2007 National Champion Josh Glenn for second place on AU’s all-time wins list. His lone defeat this season was an overtime loss in the Midlands Championships after an illegal hold in the third period extended the match.
Senior Kyle Borshoff is on his way to a record-breaking season as well. With a 16-2 record, he is two victories short of matching Bret Ruth and Mark Snuffin for fifth place on the wins list. The 149-pounder placed seventh at the Midlands Championships.
Jasen Borshoff, ranked 17th in the nation by InterMat, is 16-4 this season in the 149-pound division. The senior claimed his first Keystone Classic title with a 5-3 decision over second seed freshman Garret Frey of Princeton University.
As a team, the Eagles placed second in November’s Keystone Classic in Philadelphia and sent eight athletes to the podium. Freshman Blake Herrin and redshirt senior Jordan Lipp earned second place, redshirt senior Mingo Grant and sophomore Thomas Williams took home third and redshirt freshman Tanner Shaffer finished sixth.
At the Midlands Championships, the team finished eighth overall and placed three athletes on the podium in December.
AU started their dual meet season following the Midlands Championships. They are 3-1-1 on the year, most recently defeating Drexel University 40-6 Tuesday night in Bender Arena. Seven Eagles won their matchups including: J. Borshoff, Williams, K. Borshoff, Fittery, redshirt freshman Phillip Barreiro, Cannon and freshman Daniel Mitchell.
AU’s next meet is Thursday evening, when the team travels to New York to face Binghamton University.
You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
