WASHINGTON - With the reward of post-match turkey legs on the line, American University wrestling came through for its first home win of the season and beat George Mason (4-3) for the first time in three years, 21-15. The Eagles (3-3) were down 12-3 before making the comeback and winning five of the final six bouts of the night.

Notable

• The Eagles had six wins in total but only one by extra points thanks to a pin by #14 Jack Maida in the second-to-last bout at 125 pounds. That result took American from being down three to up three, and Maximilian Leete finished off the Patriots with a win by decision at 133 pounds.
• Freshman Cael McIntyre got the Eagles off to a good start as the dual began at 141, getting an early takedown that led to a 4-2 decision over Mason's Dom Hargrove. 
• The lead was short-lived, however, and the Patriots won the next three straight bouts to go on top, 12-3.
• Lucas White was in a tough match against Mason's Paul Pierce at 174 pounds after an early takedown, but kept Pierce scoreless in a 4-0 decision to put a dent in the Eagles' deficit.
• Another early takedown came from Connor Bourne at 184 pounds, and he was able to hang on to a slim lead while picking up the riding time point in a 5-2 decision.
• The most exciting period of the night came at 197 pounds in sudden victory. Carsten Rawls and Mason's Ruben Karapetyan battled to a 1-1 finish in regulation, but Rawls scored the takedown in overtime to tie the team score at 12-12.
• Mason's #31 Chad Nix edged Will Jarrell 9-7 in a hard-fought match at heavyweight for a 15-12 lead, but Maida and Leete were able to finish strong.
• Maida nearly had the pin on JB Dragovich in the first period, but had to settle for four near fall points. Just 33 seconds into the second period, he finally got the fall call for a crucial six AU points.
• In the final bout of the night, Leete went on top with a first-period takedown and held the lead the rest of the way, winning 4-2 over Mason's Shawn Nonaka.

George Mason (W, 21-15 - Nov. 21, 2023)

• 141 - Cael McIntyre (AU) dec. Dom Hargrove (Mason), 4-2 (AU 3-0)
• 149 - Kaden Cassidy (Mason) tech. fall Gage Owen (AU), 15-0, 1:38 (Mason 5-3)
• 157 - DJ McGee (Mason) dec. Jack Nies (AU), 7-6 (Mason 8-3)
• 165 - Evan Maag (Mason) major dec. Kaden Milheim (AU), 12-2 (Mason 12-3)
• 174 - Lucas White (AU) dec. Paul Pierce (Mason), 4-0 (Mason 12-6)
• 184 - Connor Bourne (AU) dec. Sean Coughlin (Mason), 5-2 (Mason 12-9)
• 197 - Carsten Rawls (AU) dec. Ruben Karapetyan (Mason), 4-1 SV (Tied 12-12)
• 285 - #31 Chad Nix (Mason) dec. Will Jarrell (AU), 9-7 (Mason 15-12)
• 125 - #14 Jack Maida (AU) pinned JB Dragovich (Mason), 3:33 (AU 18-15)
• 133 - Maximilian Leete (AU) dec. Shawn Nonaka (Mason), 4-2 (AU 21-15)

Next Up

• The Eagles will take a short time off before returning to action at home on Saturday, Dec. 2 against Davidson at 6 p.m.

Stay Connected

• For more information on AU Wrestling, follow the team on Twitter @AU_Wrestling, Instagram @au_wrestling and Facebook @AU.Wrestling.
• To receive email updates, home dual previews and special offers from AU Wrestling throughout the season, please fill out this interest form.