For Immediate Release                                                                           November 17, 2003
Contact: Jaclyn Pasquerella                                                                    (516) 463-2907

 Wrestling:

 PRIDE CLAIM FOUR TITLES AT THE CORTLAND OPEN

Hempstead, NY (Nov. 15) – Twenty members of the Hofstra Wrestling team competed in the Cortland Open Wrestling Tournament on November 22, at Cortland State University, and had four wrestlers win their respective championship bouts. 

First place finishers for the Pride included; junior 197-pounder #2 nationally ranked Chris Skretkowicz (Hamburg, NJ/Wallkill Valley Regional) and senior 174-pounder # 8 ranked Noel Thompson (Freeport, NY/Freeport), both whom were crowded champions, going 5-0 with two falls and two major decisions.  Senior 184-pounder, #12 ranked Brad Christie (Fort Lee, NJ/Fort Lee/Montclair State) went 4-0 with one fall, for a first place finish and graduate heavyweight contender Nik Fekete (Cranford, NJ/Cranford/Michigan St.) also went 4-0 with one fall, two technical falls and a decision for first place.

Finishing second at the Cortland State Open for the Pride were, senior 125-pounder #4 ranked Tom Noto (South River, NJ/South River) compiled a 3-1 record, with a 5-3 sudden death overtime loss to Rob Redmann of Drexel University in the finals.  Senior 157-pounder Paul Siemon (Paramus, NJ/Don Bosco Prep/Springfield College) went 4-1, with one fall, dropping the final match to Jesse Jantzen of Harvard.

The Pride had three third place finishers including senior 165-pounder #6 ranked Ralph Everett (Miami, FL/Southridge) compiled 3-1 record, winning the consolation round with a 5-4 decision over Sean Jenkins of Brown. Freshman 125-pounder Dave Tomasette (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) went 3-1, winning the consolation round, as Mike Mormile took a medical forfeit. Freshman 149-pounder James Strouse (Levittown, NY/MacArthur) went 4-1, with one major decision and a 5-1 decision over Mike Catella of Drexel in the consolation finals. 

Also competing at the Cortland Open were, freshman 149-pounder Chris Vondruska (Bay Village, OH/St. Edward) at who finished 5^th for the Pride going 4-2 with a pin and a major decision.  Freshman 141-pounder John Manarte (Farmingville, NY/Sachem) also went 4-2 with a pin and a major decision.

The Pride is next in action on November 23, at the University of Pennsylvania Invitational for an all day event.