All nine Hofstra University wrestlers were seeded fourth or better including five as number one seeds in their respective weight classes as the 2004 Colonial Athletic Association Wrestling Championships began this morning at Rider University. All nine Hofstra wrestlers advanced to the second-day semifinals on Saturday and the Pride have a three-point lead over Rider in the Championship standings.

Hofstra seniors Tom Noto (125), Ralph Everett (165), and Noel Thompson (174), and juniors Paul Siemon (157) and Chris Skretkowicz (197) received top seeds for the Pride. Senior Brad Christie (184) is seeded second, freshman James Strouse (149) is seeded third, and freshman John Manarte (141) and sophomore Dan Garay are seeded fourth. Hofstra did not enter a wrestler at 133 lbs.

The Pride, who had six wrestlers receive first round byes, cruised through the preliminary round with John Manarte defeating Rick Bauer of Rider 7-2 at 141 lbs., James Strouse pinning Chris Wilson of James Madison at 1:35 of the first period, and Paul Siemon posting a major decision over Mitch Webster of George Mason, 13-4.

In the semifinals, Tom Noto scored a pin at 26 seconds of the second period to defeat Jared Smith of Old Dominion at 125 pounds. At 141 pounds, John Manarte recorded a takedown with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the match at 5-5 and then defeated 5^th-seeded Chris Renninger of Drexel in overtime 7-5. At 149 pounds, James Strouse posted a takedown in overtime to record a 3-1 victory over Beau Bruno of Binghamton.

At 157 pounds, Paul Siemon recorded four takedowns in the first two periods on the way to an 11-2 victory over Matt Harrigan of Wagner.  At 165 Ralph Everett dominated in the match scoring three takedowns and two sets of three-point near falls in the first period on the way to a 17-2 technical fall victory over Steve Beard of Drexel at 1:57 of the second period. Noel Thompson dominated Jason Chalfant of James Madison at 174 pounds and posted a 15-2 victory.  Thompson led 8-0 after two periods and poured it on in the third for the victory.

Brad Christie tallied a first period pin in 2:16 over Lamont Logan of James Madison.  Christie had scored a takedown and three nearfall points when he cut Logan and gave him one point.  Christie then took Logan down for two and craddled him for the pin. At 197 pounds, Chris Skretkowicz made short work of Max Pazdan of Sacred Heart taking him down and then scoring two and three point near falls before pinning him at 2:05 of the first period.

At heavyweight Dan Garay posted a 2-1 victory over Courtney Howard of Boston University in the final bout of the quarterfinals. Garay tallied a second period escape but Howard tied the match with an escape with 40 seconds remaining in the third. But Garay got the victory with the one point for riding time.

The Pride, who have won three consecutive conference titles including the last two in the CAA, begin semifinal competition at noon on Saturday. The championship round is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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HOFSTRA WRESTLERS AT THE 2004 CAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

CAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

After Day 1

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