By Mark Walters
-Lou Ruggirello was awarded the 2008 Manuel Gorrarian Award. The Gorrarian Award is given to the student-athlete who records the most pins in the least amount of time at the NCAA Championships. He recorded three pins in 4:54. The sophomore recorded a 4-2 record at the NCAA Tournament.
-With his third place finish, Charles Griffin became Hofstra’s ninth two-time All-American, joining the likes of Mike Patrovich, Chris Stretkowicz, and NCAA Champion, Nick Gallo, among others.
-Griffin became Hofstra’s 17th wrestler to reach the semifinals. Three Pride wrestlers have reached the finals.
-Alton Lucas became Hofstra’s fourth one-time All-American, with another season to become a two-time AA.
-Hofstra has had 25 All-American wrestlers. Since 2004, Hofstra has had 11 and is currently on a three-year high with nine since 2006. Of the school’s 25 All-Americans, 17 of them have come within the past 10 years.
-Jon Masa is Hofstra’s only three-time All-American.
-Senior Dave Tomasette finished his career with the Pride with an overall record of 88-40, including a 16-2 CAA record, and a 46-19 dual mark. He leaves Hofstra a two-time CAA Champion and a four-time NCAA Qualifier.
-Senior Joe Rovelli finished his career with a 112-36 overall record, including an unblemished 24-0 in the CAA and a 59-20 dual meet record. He was a three-time CAA Champion and a four-time NCAA Qualifier.
-Senior Charles Griffin finished his career with a 126-25 overall record, including a 20-0 CAA record, and a 65-10 dual meet mark. He was a three-time CAA Champion, a four-time NCAA Qualifier, a two-time NCAA All-American, 2007 CAA Wrestler of the Year, and 2005 CAA Rookie of the Year.
-In his second season at the helm, Head Coach Tom Shifflet improved his overall record at Hofstra to 31-12-2.-Indiana University’s Angel Escobedo was the 125-pound champion at the NCAA Tournament this year, giving Indiana its third 125-poind champion in four years. Hofstra Assistant Coach Joe Dubuque won in 2005 and 2006 at 125 pounds for the Hoosiers.