Long Island Wrestling Association

#7 HOFSTRA WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT, DOWN #23 ARMY

Four Pride wrestlers posted major decisions to lead seventh-ranked Hofstra to a 28-9 victory over the 23rd-ranked Black Knights of Army at the Hofstra Arena Saturday evening. The Pride improved to 5-1 this year while Army slipped to 8-3.

The Pride won eight of the nine matches contested on the mat as only 13th-ranked junior Luke Calvert was able to post a mat win for Army with an 11-4 decision over Pride freshman Joe Rovelli. Army also won by forfeit with Nathan Thobaben taking the victory at heavyweight.

But trailing 9-3 after the heavyweight forfeit, Hofstra would not lose again. Redshirt freshman Dave Tomasette (10-5) (pictured) jumped out to an 8-1 first period lead and never looked back on the way to a 12-2 major decision over Travis Featherstone (8-7) at 125 pounds. Hofstra's 17th-ranked freshman Charles Griffin (14-2) blanked Army junior Tony Severo (13-9) 11-0 at 133 pounds to give Hofstra the lead at 11-9. Sixth-ranked senior Ricky LaForge (15-3) made it three straight major decisions for Hofstra with an 11-1 win over Patrick Simpson (13-7) at 141 pounds.

At 149 pounds, Hofstra's fifth-ranked junior Jon Masa (11-4), making his first appearance on the mat in a week after struggling with the flu, was taken to the limit by freshman Aaron Wernimot (7-8) before being able to squeeze out an 8-7 win. Sophomore James Strouse (12-5) recorded a 10-1 major decision over Brandon Benson (7-9) at 157 pounds before 14th-ranked junior Mike Patrovich (4-0) posted a 6-1 victory over Chad Marzec (12-7) at 165. The Pride's 10th-ranked senior Paul Siemon (14-3) closed out the match with an 8-3 decision over Scott Ferguson (2-1).

The victory was also Hofstra's sixth consecutive home victory dating back to the start of the 2003-04 season. The Pride will return to action tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 16) when they travel to Philadelphia to face 22nd-ranked Pennsylvania at 1 p.m. Army will compete in the New York State Championships this weekend.

Hofstra 28, Army 9

Starting Weight Class: 184

125 - Dave Tomasette (Hofstra) MD Travis Featherstone (Army) 12-2

133 - Charles Griffin (Hofstra) MD Tony Severo (Army) 11-0

141 - Ricky LaForge (Hofstra) MD Patrick Simpson (Army) 11-1

149 - Jon Masa (Hofstra) DEC Aaron Wernimot (Army) 8-7

157 - James Strouse (Hofstra) MD Brandon Benson (Army) 10-1

165 - Mike Patrovich (Hofstra) DEC Chad Marzec (Army) 6-1

174 - Paul Siemon (Hofstra) DEC Scott Ferguson (Army) 8-3

184 - Luke Calvert (Army) DEC Joe Rovelli (Hofstra) 11-4

197 - Chris Skretkowicz (Hofstra) DEC Todd Wisman (Army) 8-4

HWT - Nathan Thobaben (Army) Won by Forfeit