For Immediate Release

December 13, 2007

Contact: Jim Sheehan

(516) 463-6764

Wrestling
HOFSTRA REMAINS 18TH IN THE W.I.N. POLL

NEWTON, Iowa - Five Pride wrestlers remain in the top 20 of their respective divisions as Hofstra remained 18th-ranked in W.I.N. Magazine’s fifth NCAA Division I wrestling rankings of the 2007-08 season. As in previous years, the W.I.N. rankings are based on the polling committee believes are currently the best individuals and tournament teams. Teams are not ranked on dual-meet strength.

Leading the ranked Pride wrestlers is senior Charles Griffin (11-2), who moved up two places to second at 141 pounds after a win against Harvard last Sunday. Sophomore Lou Ruggirello (13-2) moved up one place to fourth at 133 pounds this week. Junior Alton Lucas, who is undefeated this season at 6-0, remained at number eight at 174 pounds. Senior Dave Tomasette (10-3) remained in ninth place this week at 125 pounds. Senior Joe Rovelli, who has not wrestled since November 24 due to a knee injury, remained 10th at 197 pounds with a 4-1 record this year.

Iowa took over the top spot in this week’s poll following their victory over Iowa State last weekend. The Cyclones of ISU slipped to number two while Minnesota was bumped down to number three. Penn State took the biggest jump in the poll after their win at Oklahoma State, going from 10th to fourth this week. OSU fell one to fifth. Michigan, Central Michigan, Missouri, Ohio State and Nebraska each fell one place to round out the top 10.

The Pride return to action on December 29-30 when they compete at The Southern Scuffle in Greensboro, North Carolina.

WRESTLING INTERNATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE (W.I.N.)

2007-08 NCAA DIV. I RANKINGS (Previous Rankings from Dec. 4, 2007)

1. Iowa (3rd)

2. Iowa State (1st)

3. Minnesota (2nd)

4. Penn State (10th)

5. Oklahoma State (4th)

6. Michigan (5th)

7. Central Michigan (6th)

8. Missouri (7th)

9. Ohio State (8th)

10. Nebraska (9th)

11. Northwestern (11th)

12. Cornell (13th)

13. Wisconsin (12th)

14. UT-Chattanooga (14th)

15. Indiana (15th)

16. Edinboro (16th)

17. Illinois (17th)

18. Hofstra (18th)

19. Oklahoma (19th)

20. Cal State Fullerton (20th)

21. Penn (21st)

22. Pittsburgh (22nd)

23. Navy (23rd)

24. Maryland (24th)

25. Northern Iowa (NR)

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