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AU Wrestlers Prepare for EIWA's
Waters and Hyman look to qualify for NCAA's

Junior Daniel Waters will look to take his first EIWA title and NCAA berth in the 184 weight class.

March 4, 2004

WASHINGTON – Led by senior Jared Hyman (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) and junior Daniel Waters (Laurel, Del./Penn State), the American University wrestling team will compete at the 100th annual Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Conference Championships, March 6-7. Held at the University of Pennsylvania’s Palestra, the Eagles will be competing for the second year in the conference, grappling against some of the nation’s top teams, including Lehigh, Penn, Brown, Navy, Army and Cornell.

“Throughout the season, we have not been too concerned with the outcome of our duals,” said Head Wrestling Coach Mark Cody. “We have been training specifically for this tournament and we expect to do very well in our individual events.”

Hyman, one of the Eagles two seniors, will be competing in the heavyweight division and will look to earn his first berth to the NCAA tournament. Compiling a 24-11 season, Hyman will enter the tournament ranked first in the EIWA for heavyweight wins and sixth overall. Ending his dual meet season on a six match winning streak, Hyman looks to dominate the field and make it to the national championship.

“Hyman’s weight class is wide open,” said Cody. “He has the capability of making it to the finals, as well as the nationals.”

Waters, a junior transfer from Penn State will also look to earn his first NCAA berth as he takes on some of the toughest national competition. Earning a 32-5 record for the season and a 6-1 record against EIWA opponents, Waters sits in the top position on the Intermat Division I Win Leaders List for the 184 weight class and fifth on overall in the EIWA.

“I expect Waters to do very well at this tournament. This is the type of event that he trains for all season long,” said Cody. “He is a year-round athlete and I feel that this is his time to shine. His weight-class is pretty tough, but he definitely has the potential to win the championship and move on to the nationals.”

Also looking to earn a berth to the national championship will be Tom Kniezewski (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) in the 141 division. Earning a 20-13 record during the regular season, Kniezewski has faced off against two opponents, with a win over Tommy Rohn of Lehigh.

“Kniezewski could do very well at EIWA’s,” said Cody. “He also has the potential to get to the national tournament. He just needs to stay solid and focused.”

The Eagle’s conference meet will take place on March 6-7 at the Palestra, on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. For more information on the meet, including directions, ticket prices and times, please visit: http://pennathletics.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/04eiwa.html