BUIES CREEK, N.C. - "What a difference a year can make, and what a difference one point can make," said American University head wrestling coach Jason Borrelli after the Eagles earned the title of 2023 Chippewa Challenge Champions. American earned one-point victories over Central Michigan (18-17), Cal State Bakersfield (16-15) and host Campbell (19-18) to go 3-0 for the day and improve to 7-7 for the season.

Just one year ago, the Eagles not only lost to the same three teams, but did so by 33 points, 29 points and 19 points, respectively. The incredible turnaround was brought about by many gritty performances throughout the day, great leadership and a true belief in the decisions of the coaching staff.

Notable

• Borrelli noted the impressive performance by freshman Caleb Campos at 165 pounds, who was American's only 3-0 wrestler for the day. In a match against Cal State Bakersfield that saw nine wins by decision—four for AU and five for CSUB—it was a 12-0 major decision victory for Campos that made the difference in the 16-15 team win.
• Campos cruised to another major decision against Campbell, 13-1 after starting the day with a 3-2 decision over Central Michigan.
• In his first outing since earning his first-ever NCAA coaches' ranking, #32 Maximilian Leete went 2-1 at 125 pounds with his only loss coming in sudden victory against Bakersfield. Leete's two wins included a pin in 1:28 against Campbell, his 10th of the season that will help keep him at or near the top of the NCAA standings for wins by fall.
• At 197 pounds, Connor Bourne went 2-0 for the day with wins vs. CMU and CSUB. Down 3-2 early in the third period against CMU's Cameron Wood, he scored a takedown and got riding time for a 5-3 victory.
• In his only bout of the day, wrestling at 157 pounds, Patrick Ryan got the takedown he needed in sudden victory to defeat Campbell's Hagen Heistand 3-1.
• Ryan's victory sparked a 3-0 run for the Eagles, who had previously trailed 9-6 to Campbell. Campos followed with his major to then give AU a 13-9 lead, and Lucas White pinned Patrick Adams in 2:04 for a 19-9 advantage that would prove to be just enough points to win it in the end.
• Jack Maida wasted little time in his opening-match victory, pinning Vincente Perez of Central Michigan in just over a minute. Maida came up against two ranked wrestlers from Bakersfield and Campbell, and while he lost to both, his efforts prevented either opponent from gaining bonus points.
• The Eagles' match against Central Michigan pitted Jason Borrelli against his alma mater as well as his dad, Tom Borrelli, who still coaches the Chippewas. The rivalry is now tied at 1-1 between American and Central Michigan, but Tom Borrelli still holds a 4-2 lead all-time against Jason Borrelli after CMU went 3-1 against Stanford during Jason's years as head coach of the Cardinal.

Results vs. Central Michigan (Won 18-17)

• 125 - #32 Maximilian Leete (AU) dec. Sean Spindle (CMU), 5-2 (AU 3-0)
• 133 - Jack Maida (AU) pinned Vincente Perez (CMU), 1:06 (AU 9-0)
• 141 - Raymond Lopez (AU) dec. Ja'Kerion Merritt (CMU), 7-1 (AU 12-0)
• 149 - Johnny Lovett (CMU) major dec. Devon Capato (AU), 10-1 (AU 12-4)
• 157 - #26 Corbyn Munson (CMU) dec. Jack Nies (AU), 11-4 (AU 12-7)
• 165 - Caleb Campos (AU) dec. Tracy Hubbard (CMU), 3-2 (AU 15-7)
• 174 - #31 Alex Cramer (CMU) major dec. Lucas White (AU), 18-5 (AU 15-11)
• 184 - Ben Cushman (CMU) dec. Colin Shannon (AU), 6-2 (AU 15-14)
• 197 - Connor Bourne (AU) dec. Cameron Wood (CMU), 5-3 (AU 18-14)
• HWT - Bryan Caves (CMU) dec. Will Jarrell (AU), 3-1 (AU 18-17)

Results vs. Cal State Bakersfield (Won 16-15)

• 125 - Eddie Flores (CSUB) dec. #32 Maximilian Leete (AU), 7-5 SV (CSUB 3-0)
• 133 - #18 Chance Rich (CSUB) dec. Jack Maida (AU), 10-3 (CSUB 6-0)
• 141 - Elijah White (AU) dec. #25 Angelo Martinoni (CSUB), 4-2 SV (CSUB 6-3)
• 149 - Josh Brown (CSUB) dec. Devon Capato (AU), 12-8 (CSUB 9-3)
• 157 - Jack Nies (AU) dec. Brock Rogers (CSUB), 4-3 (CSUB 9-6)
• 165 - Caleb Campos (AU) major dec. Braden Smelser (CSUB), 12-0 (AU 10-9)
• 174 - Albert Urias (CSUB) dec. Lucas White (AU), 9-3 (CSUB 12-10)
• 184 - Jacob Hansen (CSUB) dec. Carsten Rawls (AU), 9-4 (CSUB 15-10)
• 197 - Connor Bourne (AU) dec. Mateo Morales (CSUB), 6-1 (CSUB 15-13)
• HWT - Will Jarrell (AU) dec. Jake Andrews (CSUB), 3-1 (AU 16-15)

Results vs. Campbell (Won 19-18)

• 125 - #32 Maximilian Leete (AU) pinned Zak Thompson (Campbell), 1:28 (AU 6-0)
• 133 - #29 Domenic Zaccone (Campbell) dec. Jack Maida (AU), 9-3 (AU 6-3)
• 141 - #32 Shannon Hanna (Campbell) dec. Ethan Szerencsits (AU), 8-6 (Tied 6-6)
• 149 - Chris Rivera (Campbell) dec. Elijah White (AU), 4-3 (Campbell 9-6)
• 157 - Patrick Ryan (AU) dec. Hagen Heistand (Campbell), 3-1 SV (AU 9-9)
• 165 - Caleb Campos (AU) major dec. Brant Cracraft (Campbell), 13-1 (AU 13-9)
• 174 - Lucas White (AU) pinned Patrick Adams (Campbell), 2:04 (AU 19-9)
• 184 - #28 Caleb Hopkins (Campbell) dec. Colin Shannon (AU), 4-2 (AU 19-12)
• 197 - #29 Levi Hopkins (Campbell) dec. Liam Volk-Klos (AU), 4-0 (AU 19-15)
• HWT - #13 Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) dec. Will Jarrell (AU), 11-8 (AU 19-18)

Extra Matches

• 149 - Johnathan Viveros (CSUB) dec. Garrett Washington (AU), 6-3
• 141 - Raymond Lopez (AU) dec. Jimmy Nugent (CMU), 3-1
• 165 - Chandler Amaker (CMU) major dec. Breon Phifer (AU), 12-0

Up Next

• After taking next weekend off, American returns to action at Virginia for a 1 p.m. dual on Saturday, Feb. 4.

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