The Eagles ended their season Feb. 15 at West Liberty with a 22-15 victory over the Hilltoppers. The Eagles final record is 15-2-1, which is the best winning percentage for the program since 1984. Fifteen wins is the most for the program since the 1999-2000 season when the Eagle grapplers went 15-5.

This is one of the greatest turnarounds in collegiate history following the Eagle grapplers 4-12 season just one short year ago. The Eagles went into West Liberty as the 12th ranked team in the nation.

Dan Maandara began the night with a 6-2 victory over Preston Foster. Scott Meyer followed with a victory for the Eagles over Pete McAtee. At 141, Kyle Kanaga pinned Aaron Majetich to give the Eagles three victories in a row. A fourth came in a row when Dan Genetin defeated Brian Leggett 11-7.

West Liberty captured their first victory when Seth Phalen pinned Mare Hoff. West Liberty followed that up with three more victories over the final five matches.

The West Liberty victories came from Jarrod Shaw (165), Derrick Williams (184) and Mitch Knapp (197). Ryan Thatcher (174) added a victory during the West Liberty comeback.

The Eagles had a slim four point lead entering the final 285 match-up. Their comeback fell short as Jacob Southwick held off J.D. Ramsey for a 2-1 victory.

The Hilltoppers fell to 4-11 and a disheartening three match losing streak to end their season.

AU boasts five wrestlers with 20 or more wins in Meyer (20), Genetin (21), Kanaga (22), Thatcher (23) and Southwick (29).

Following this victory, the Eagles will look to move up in the national rankings.

The Eagle grapplers are preparing for the regional tournament February 26 at Findlay.

Their aim is to continue this dream season and send as many of their wrestlers to the national championships at Nebraska-Kearney March 11-12.