The Hofstra Pride wrestling team wrapped up their regular season tournament schedule on Friday, January 6, in Lancaster, PA, at the 2023 David Lehman F&M Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall. The 10th annual tournament brought teams from all over the country to Lancaster, including 32 colleges and universities (30 DI). 

The Pride sent ten wrestlers to the event: Dylan Acevedo-Switzer (125), Mario Biancamano (141), Eric Shindel (157), Ericson Velasquez (184), Nikolas Miller (197), and Ben Somerville (285), including four unattached grapplers: Alex Turley (133), Joe Sparacio (133), Chase Casey (141), and Greyson Harris (149).

Starting the day strong for The Pride at 184 pounds, Ericson Velasquez began his day in the round of 64 with a victory over Sacred Heart’s Chris DeLena at the 1:55 mark. Velasquez persisted in advancing to the round of 16. Still, after falling short to Drexel’s Josh Stillings by tech fall (16-0), he bounced back with consecutive wins by pin over LIU’s Gavin Claro at the 4:45 mark and Cordel Duhart of Presbyterian at the 6:48 mark. Velasquez’s night ended in the consolation round of 8, ranked #1 with a tech fall loss (15-0) to fourth-seeded Dylan Fishback of North Carolina State. Velasquez ended the day with three wins for the Pride. 

The Pride’s Eric Shindel and Nikolas Miller both won a pair of matches at the open for the Pride. Shindel, competing at 157 pounds, went 2-2, with consolation round wins over Millersville’s Patrick Tocci (fall, 4:35) and Franklin & Marshall’s Anthony Micci by decision (4-0). Miller, competing at 197 pounds, won a 10-2 major decision over Army West Point’s Thomas Godbee in the round of 32. Miller fell short of third-seeded John Crawford of F&M in the round of 16 before defeating Kent State’s Miles Ashbough 4-1 in the second round. Miller’s night ended in a tough 5-4 decision loss to Rider’s Azeem Bell, who won with a swift takedown with three seconds remaining. Shindel and Miller both finished 2-4 on the day. 

Sparacio, competing unattached at 133 pounds, lost his first match by fall in the round of 32, to Drexel’s Deon Pleasant at the 2:46 mark, advancing him to the consolation bracket. For his first match in the consolation round of 32, Sparacio defeated Hofstra teammate Alex Turley by a 6-2 decision. 

In the first round of 16, the Pride freshman defeated eighth-seeded Jace Palmer of North Carolina 6-1. Next, Sparacio defeated 30th-ranked and third-seeded Joey Melendez of North Carolina via medical forfeit. In the second round of 16. Sparacio won another match against a seeded opponent in the first round of eight, defeating Franklin & Marshall’s Pat Phillips. However, Sparacio’s run ended in the second consolation round of eight with a 3-1 loss to fifth-seeded Jack Maida of America. Sparacio finished the day with four wins under his belt. 

At 141 pounds, Chase Casey competed unattached, defeating Ryan Dal Pizzol (Sacred Heart) in the round of 64 at the 3:30 mark. Casey maintained control as he put the first takedown points on the board. Casey achieved a 6-2 advantage before pinning his opponent, finishing the day 1-2. 

Following the Lehman Open, the Pride will return to action on Monday, January 9, at 6 p.m. against EIWA opponent Bucknell.

Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Neil Miller