The American University wrestling team (10-9) earned their first Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association win of the season in a dual against Bucknell University (5-10) with a 23-18 victory on Feb. 14.
For their last meet of the season in Bender Arena, the Eagles celebrated 11 of their graduating seniors. Head coach Jason Borrelli, Athletic Director JM Caparro and University President Jonathan Alger presented the athletes with framed American red and blue singlets.
The Eagles were quick to start the action with redshirt freshman 125-pounder Coen Bainey, who came out strong with an immediate takedown of Bison freshman Chris Nucifora in the first period. Bainey won the bout, getting the Eagles off to a hot start at 6-0.
The Bison fought back as their fifth-year 133-pounder Kurt Phipps faced junior Raymond Lopez. A possible 3-point takedown was called for the Bison in the first period, but after review, the bout remained scoreless going into the second period. Lopez amped it up, remaining in constant contact with his opponent until Phipps ultimately dominated with a 4-2 final score.
“We wrestled hard, which is really good,” Borrelli said. “As a coach, you don’t want to have to teach grit and toughness, you just want your athletes to — that’s what they are and that’s their identity. And so I’m glad that we had that because the areas we got beat were technical, we can improve those.”
Senior 141-pounder Elijah White brought back a win for the Eagles after defeating Vinnie D’Alessandro in a 10-1 major decision. White controlled the bout with a takedown, reversal and four near falls, bringing the Eagles to 10-3 overall.
The grit continued as redshirt freshman 149-pounder Gage Owen fought for a win against senior Kolby DePron. The two wasted no time in making contact. Owen scored the first points with a takedown in the first period as fans yelled a motivating reminder to “stand up.” DePron retaliated with a takedown, followed by a reversal and near fall, giving him a lead. Owen gained the upper hand after a swift takedown that soon became a pin, giving the Eagles an instant victory.
The Eagles were up 16-3 heading into the 157-pound bout, and the Bison were ready to close that gap. Redshirt senior Jack Nies kept his energy through all three periods with a takedown early in the second, but ultimately lost 6-4 against sophomore Cade Wirnsberger.
Redshirt freshman Kaden Milheim fell into the same pattern in the 165-pound bout as sophomore Noah Mulvaney won by decision, bringing the team score to 16-9. Borrelli threw his challenge brick onto the mat in response to a referee decision to not count a possible Eagle takedown in the third period, with the crowd erupting in support for the Eagles.
“We want to see 3,000 people in Bender for matches because it will really help our athletes,” Borrelli said. “It helps the outcome of matches because officials feel that pressure and when you’re at a place and you don’t want to be the guy that doesn’t call what the whole arena is cheering for, then it matters.”
Freshman 174-pounder Austin Craft dueled to a 10-1 major decision victory against freshman Creed Thomas. Craft had control of the bout with a match-long lead and two takedowns, one coming in the last minute of the match.
Next up, seniors Lucas White and Carsten Rawls fell in back-to-back losses against the Bison in the 184 and 197-pound matches. Both Eagles had their endurance on full display, fighting through all three periods.
Heavyweight graduate student Will Jarrell brought the arena to life in the last match of the night against junior Logan Shephard. Jarrell started the match trailing 3-0 in the first period but came back with grit to gain a 5-3 lead.
The crowd sang in unison, “let’s go Will,” in the last minute as Jarrell held strong to keep Shephard from scoring a point.
“When people come and support and cheer, like that’s one of the loudest Bender’s ever been,” Jarrell said. “That just kind of helps you push through, when you’ve realized you’re wrestling something that’s bigger than you.”
Following their victory against George Mason on Feb. 16, the Eagles look to keep up their winning streak against undefeated Penn State as they travel to State College, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 21.
This article was edited by Jack Stashower, Connor Sturniolo, Penelope Jennings and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks, Olivia Citarella and Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
