FAIRFAX, VA — The Hofstra wrestling team picked up their fifth straight dual-match victory in a stomping of the George Mason University Patriots, taking nine weight classes in a 40-5 win on Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Recreation Athletic Complex.
The Pride gained falls from Holden and Sage Heller in the 157 and 174 classes, respectively. Sage Heller has now won four straight matches by fall and five consecutive matches overall.
Holden Heller started out the afternoon picking up the victory 1:19 into the second period of his bout with Kolby Ho, while older brother and redshirt junior Sage Heller took down Anthony Lombardo 2:15 into the first period.
Hofstra earned three wins by decision with redshirt junior Ricky Stamm picking up a 4-0 decision at 165-pound over Ryan Yorkdale as well.
Junior Charles Small won 3-2 at 184 with a crucial takedown in the third period to hold off GMU’s Paul Pierce. Justin Hoyle edged out a 1-0 victory at 133 with a late point in the third period from an escape after starting in the bottom position against Josh Jones.
“Wrestling is a tough sport filled with battles,” said Hofstra wrestling coach Dennis Papadatos. “Our guys have been warriors lately, especially today. I am very proud of the effort, fight and most importantly the attitude and expectancy to win.”
Sophomore Trey Rogers was outstanding in his 197-pound match against Ali Salem, tallying 11 takedowns in a 24-9 tech fall and finishing things off with a riding time point.
Zachary Knighton-Ward grabbed one of Hofstra’s two major decision wins, defeating Jake Slinger 16-5 at 285 pounds. The redshirt sophomore had seven takedowns en route to his sixth straight win with the last two via major decision.
Dylan Ryder, ranked 25th at 125 pounds by WrestleStat, took down Talha Farooq by major decision. The sophomore dropped two points early before coming back and easily defeating his opponent, earning 14 uncontested points with six near falls.
GMU got their only win at the 141-pound weight class as 28th ranked Alex Madrigal posted a tech fall against the Pride’s Vinny Vespa.
Reece Heller closed out the meet with an uncontested win as GMU forfeited at 149.
With Sunday’s win, Hofstra has their longest win streak since winning 10 consecutive matches during the 2011-2012 season. The Pride has relied on stellar production from Ryder, Rogers and Sage Heller, who have all won their last five matches, combining for seven wins by major decisions, two tech falls, and four falls.
The Pride has won by an average of 29.8 points over the win streak, showing the improvements they have made since starting off 1-4 in dual matches earlier in the season.
“George Mason is a very good team and is very well coached,” Papadatos said. “They have beaten teams we lost to this year, which shows our growth since December.”
On deck, Hofstra has two Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association matches as they host both Harvard University and Brown University on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The match against Harvard will begin at 11 a.m. before Hofstra takes on Brown at 1:30 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of George Mason Athletics
