Hempstead, NY – The 2016-17 Hofstra Wrestling Team will put their talents on public display for the first time on Saturday, November 5 when the Pride host their annual Hofstra Wrestle-Offs at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center. The intrasquad competition will begin at 1 p.m.

Hofstra Head Wrestling Coach Dennis Papadatos, who is entering his third year with the Pride, will have 11 returnees, including six starters, and eight newcomers on this year's roster. Leading the returnees is 2016 NCAA Championship qualifier, Michael Hughes at heavyweight. Hughes was tied for the most victories last season, finishing at 41-10. But it is more than likely that Hughes will red-shirt this season.

Other starting returnees include junior Bryan Damon at 125 or 133, who was 18-22 last season; junior Kyle Krasavage at 141, who was 14-12 at 149 last year; sophomore Bobby Fehr at 165, who was 4-18 last season; junior Cory Damiana at 184, who was 14-21 last year; and sophomore Omar Haddad at 285, who was 8-23 at 197 last season. The Pride will also be returning red-shirt sophomore Michael Oxley, who rejoins the team after starting as a true freshman at 197 and posting a 5-21 mark two seasons ago,

While Papadatos has not quite settled on a starting line-up just yet, Saturday's wrestle-offs and the two upcoming tournaments (The Kaloust-Bearcat Open and the New York State Collegiate Championship) could go a long way in helping his decisions before the Pride's first dual matches against Cornell and George Mason in the Grapple at the Garden on November 27.

Papadatos, while concerned that some nagging injuries and ailments may alter Saturday's wrestle-off schedule of matches, has set this schedule, subject to change, for the exhibition.

141 – Connor Burkert vs. Charlie Kane
184 – Cory Damiana vs. Michael Oxley
125/133 EXH - Jacob Martin vs. Vinny Vespa
149 - Connor Muli vs. Ryan Burkert
157 - Ricky Stamm vs. Jake Kaminsky
165/174 EXB - Anthony Olivieri vs. Sage Heller
285 - Michael Hughes vs. Omar Haddad
141 – Kyle Krasavage vs. Winner of Kane/Burkert
184/197 EXB – Nezar Haddad vs. Winner of Oxley/Damiana