Wrestling Hosts Maryland on Senior Night Tonight

Feb. 9, 2007

WASHINGTON - The American University wrestling team closes out its home wrestling schedule tonight at 7 p.m. against cross-town rival Maryland in Bender Arena. The Eagles will honor seniors Dwayne Hash-Barberis and Damian Swietlik as they suit up for the last time on their home mat.

Last Time on the Mat: American is 8-8 on the season after suffering a 19-18 loss to Rutgers on Sunday. Josh Glenn, Rudy Rueda, Mike Cannon, Damian Swietlik, Jordan Lipp and Jasen Borshoff won for AU. But the Eagles lost on points after suffering a pin and two major decisions at the hands of the Scarlett Knights.

Last Time Versus Maryland: American won five of ten matches in a 23-15 win last season at Maryland. The Eagles have won the last two duals between the teams.

Eagles Say Thank You to Seniors Dwayne Hash & Damian Swietlik: Four Year starter Dwayne Hash-Barberis has brought leadership and experience to this young AU team. The Scotia, N.Y. native has 33 career wins including seven major decisions, six tech falls and six falls. Fellow Eagle Damian Swietlik has shown tremendous dedication in his only year as an Eagle. Wrestling through injuries, Swietlik has won nine matches and was voted team captain this year.

Wrestling in the Rankings: Josh Glenn is the only AU wrestler in the top-20 in the Intermat/NWCA rankings. At 197, Glenn is ranked fourth in this week's rankings. In the EIWA, four AU wrestlers are ranked in the top-six. Kyle Borshoff, who has been sitting out for the last three weeks with an ankle injury, is ranked fifth. At 174, Rudy Rueda is ranked fifth as well. Both Glenn and Mike Cannon are ranked second in their weight classes.

Battle of Top Wrestlers: The matchup at 197 pits two top-20 wrestlers against one another as No. 4 Josh Glenn faces No. 1. Hudson Taylor. The matchups at 165 and 174 also look to be very competitive. At 165, Mike Cannon will be taking on fellow Maryland native, Terrapin senior No. 11 Jason Kiessling. At 174, Rudy Rueda will look to keep in tact his home undefeated streak and earn his first win over a ranked opponent this season against No. 12 Mike Letts.

Maryland Wrestling Info: The Terrapins enter tonight's matchup with a 14-5 record overall and a 4-0 record in the ACC. They are coming off a 27-13 win at Duke in which they they got wins from Mike McGill, Mike Letts, Josh Haines, Hudson Taylor, Jerry Afari and James Knox. Maryland has four wrestlers who are ranked in the top 20 for their weight class by InterMat. Alex Krom, a sophomore, is ranked 13th at 141; Jason Kiessling, a senior, is ranked 12th at 165; Mike Letts, a freshman, is ranked 11th at 179; and Hudson Taylor, a freshman, is ranked 14th at 197. The Terrapins have won three straight matches and 6 of 8 matches since New Years.

The match will be broadcast live on Eagle Vision*All Access with Allen Brown on commentary and Gregg Henry, college editor of WrestlingReport.com, on color.

Check back with AUEagles.com tonight for full match recap and photo gallery.