By John Napolitano – STAFF WRITER
Though the Hofstra Pride wrestling program has had its struggles, they can reflect on a few bright spots from this season. The Pride currently sits at 5-9 overall, with a 1-4 record in the EIWA.
Heavyweight junior, Michael Hughes, has had a standout season for the Pride. The former New York State heavyweight champion has shown great improvement this year, boasting a 27-6 overall record on the season. The 285-pounder finished the 2014-15 season 5-4 in conference matches.
This year, Hughes is undefeated in EIWA action. The Smithtown native is 62-37 in his career here at Hofstra. If the 2012-13 Suffolk County champion continues his winning ways, he could potentially make a run for 100 collegiate career victories and join an elite club here at Hofstra.
Not far behind is redshirt junior, Frank Affronti. Affronti is 25-11 overall this season, bringing his career tally to 58 wins. This season — Affronti’s fourth representing the Hofstra Pride — has proven to be the highlight of his career thus far. He has outscored opponents 41-10 in duals and is 17-6 in wins by decision.
Jamel Hudson, also a redshirt junior, has had an impressive career at Hofstra as well. The 2012 New York State Wrestler of the Year is currently 12-4 on the season totaling to an outstanding 52-14 career record; seven of his 12 victories this season came by decision. The 133-pound Bay Shore native is 8-2 in duals and has been a mainstay of the team for the last four years.
Even redshirt sophomore Kyle Krasavage has displayed dominance in his third season on the Pride wrestling roster. After getting injured as a freshman, he only competed in 11 matches last season. This year, Krasavage sits at 10-4 overall with a 21-11 career record at Hofstra. In duals, the Pennsylvania native has outscored opponents by a large 28-6 margin.
When analyzing the Hofstra Pride wrestling team’s 2015-16 season, it is important to note that this is a fairly young group of men. Marcus Begay and Jermaine John are the only seniors on the squad.
If the underclassmen can return next year more acclimated to the level of competition and pillars of the program, and Pride standouts like Hughes, Affronti and Hudson can maintain the success they have reached this season, then things will certainly be looking up for the Pride in 2016-17.
