EAST LANSING, Mich. - An early pin for Maximilian Leete was an exciting start for American University wrestling, but ultimately the Eagles earned just three wins out of 10 matches and dropped a dual at Michigan State by a score of 28-12 on Friday evening. The Spartans improved to 6-0 for the season, while the Eagles drop to 4-5.

Notable

• Leete moved into a tie for seventh all-time at American, now with 22 career pins. His fourth pin of the season gave the Eagles a win in the opening bout at 133 pounds, as he took care of Michigan State's Andy Hampton in 1:50.
• Four wins by the Spartans followed, including two by top-25 wrestlers at 157 and 165 pounds. 
• Both Raymond Lopez (141) and Ethan Szerencsits (149) kept it close, falling 8-4 and 5-2, respectively.
• Lucas White provided some excitement for AU with a takedown in the final minute against Marty Larkin, good enough for a 3-2 decision and points on the board.
• Three more losses followed, including another close one at heavyweight as Will Jarrell took Josh Terrill to sudden victory before falling 6-3.
• In the final bout of the night, #16 Jack Maida returned to the mat after more than six weeks. He trailed 1-0 in the third period before a reversal made it 2-1, and that score stood to the end as Maida beat #32 Tristan Lujan to improve to 10-0 for the season.

Michigan State (L, 28-12 - Jan. 5, 2024)

• 133 - Maximilian Leete (AU) pinned Andy Hampton (MSU), 1:50 (AU 6-0)
• 141 - Jordan Hamdan (MSU) dec. Raymond Lopez (AU), 8-4 (AU 6-3)
• 149 - Braden Stauffenberg (MSU) dec. Ethan Szerencsits (AU), 5-2 (Tied 6-6)
• 157 - #21 Chase Saldate (MSU) pinned Devon Capato (AU), 6:08 (MSU 12-6)
• 165 - #14 Caleb Fish (MSU) major dec. Breon Phifer (AU), 8-0 (MSU 16-6)
• 174 - Lucas White (AU) dec. Marty Larkin (MSU), 3-2 (MSU 16-9)
• 184 - #21 Layne Malczewski (MSU) major dec. Connor Bourne (AU), 12-2 (MSU 20-9)
• 197 - #31 Kael Wisler (MSU) tech. fall Liam Volk-Klos (AU), 17-2 (MSU 25-9)
• 285 - Josh Terrill (MSU) dec. Will Jarrell (AU), 6-3 SV (MSU 28-9)
• 125 - #16 Jack Maida (AU) dec. #32 Tristan Lujan (MSU), 2-1 (MSU 28-12)

• The Eagles will be making a trip to California to close out the winter break. AU will compete in a dual at Cal Poly on Friday, Jan. 12, and then face three teams in the annual Chippewa Challenge on Jan. 13. This year's host is Cal State Bakersfield, and the Eagles will also compete against Campbell and Central Michigan.

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