When Dennis Papadatos heard that his friend and former teammate Rob Anspach was resigning his position as head coach of the Pride to enter private business last June, the former North Carolina, Binghamton and Northern Illinois assistant coach wasted little time in letting Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway know of his great interest in the job. After all, Papadatos was a Long Island native, a two-time graduate of Hofstra, a two-time NCAA Championship qualifier for the Pride, and wrestled and coached under Tom Ryan, who brought the program back to prominence during his 11-year tenure with the Pride.

After a national review of candidates, Hathaway selected the energetic Papadatos as Hofstra's 12th head wrestling coach in school history in August and the new coach hit the ground running, eager to install his coaching system, both philosophically and culturally. While Papadatos lost five starters, including three of the Pride's four 2014 NCAA Championship qualifiers to graduation last May, Anspach left a core of 12 returnees, with five starters, and a solid group of red-shirts and newcomers.

Leading the group is the lone returning NCAA Championship qualifier, graduate-student Cody Ruggirello. The 149-pound qualifier, who placed fourth in Hofstra's inaugural season in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), recorded a career-best 26-12 mark last season while also earning National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic team honors.

Ruggirello will be joined by a group of fellow returning starters – all sophomores – in Jamel Hudson, who is expected to move up from 133 pounds to 141 this season; Jahlani Callender at 157 pounds; Frank Affronti at 174 pounds; and Michael Hughes, the only true sophomore in the group, at 285. In addition, two-year starter Jermaine John, who missed last season with an injury, also returns and will be looking for a starting role in one of the upper weights. "I am really excited about seeing what this core group can do for us this season," Papadatos says.

But that leaves Papadatos with five weight classes in which to identify a starter from a group of talented red-shirts and eight newcomers. The first-year coach will be looking to fill vacant spots at 125, 133, 165, 184 and 197 pounds and get them battle-tested and ready for the EIWA and, hopefully, the NCAA Championships in March. "To be successful this season, we have to continue the preseason work ethic while changing the culture and mindset. We have to continue to work hard to be the best that we can be. I want our guys to be strong on the mat and in the classroom. Our goals this season are to have a 3.0 team GPA, to be in the top three at the EIWA Championships, and to get five wrestlers to nationals with at least one of those five to be competing on Saturday for All-America honors," said Papadatos.

125
The graduation of two-time NCAA qualifier Jamie Franco leaves the spot wide open for a battle between two, or possibly three, freshmen. Papadatos is expecting a fierce battle between true freshmen, Travis Passaro (Manorville, NY) and Bryan Damon (Oak Ridge, NJ). Passaro, the younger brother of Pride 133-pounder Maverick Passaro, was a two-time All-American and the 2014 New York State High School champion during his 50-0 senior campaign at Eastport South Manor High School. Damon was a two-time New Jersey state place-winner at Jefferson Township High School. Red-shirt freshman Kyle Krasavage (Larksville, PA), who recorded a 134-18 career record and placed fourth in the 2013 Pennsylvania State Championships at Wyoming Valley High School, competed in 16 matches at 133 as a red-shirt last season and could also challenge at this weight. "This is a very interesting weight class and I think all three would do a solid job for us," Papadatos said. "Travis is good on top and would be the hometown favorite being from Long Island. But Bryan, like Travis, has excellent credentials and will give him a run for the starting job."

133
The move of sophomore Jamel Hudson (Bay Shore, NY) from 133 to 141 this season leaves the starting job up for grabs in what should be a fierce battle between red-shirt sophomore Maverick Passaro (Manorville, NY) and Krasavage. Passaro, who transferred to Hofstra last season after one year at Rutgers University, was 8-4 in open tournaments for the Pride last season. Like his brother, Travis, Maverick was a New York State High School champion at Eastport South Manor High School in 2012. Despite wrestling all 16 open matches at 133 pounds last season, Krasavage, who was the unofficial back up to Jamie Franco at 125 last year, wanted a crack at the 133-pound starting job and Papadatos is giving it to him. "This is the most highly-contested weight class we have with Maverick and Kyle," Papadatos says. "Maverick has some big moves on the mat and if he hits them, it's lights out. Kyle is also dangerous on the mat and can beat anybody at any time. So we will see how this plays out."

141
The Pride lost four-year starter, three-time NCAA qualifier and 2014 EIWA Championship finalist Luke Vaith to graduation after a career-best 31-8 slate last season. Papadatos will replace Vaith with dynamic red-shirt sophomore Jamel Hudson, who moves up from 133. Hudson, another 2012 New York State High School champion at St. Anthony's High School, recorded a 16-4 record with six major decisions last season. Red-shirt sophomore Alex Mirante (Moraga, CA), who wrestled in 10 matches at 141 and 149 last season, and true freshman Connor Muli (Medford, NJ), a four-time district champion and a two-time regional champ while posting a 119-18 record at Shawnee High School, will challenge for time at this weight. "Jamel has awesome ability and potential," Papadatos said. "He has the talent to reach the top of the podium someday."

149
After struggling with injuries for the better part of three seasons, graduate-student Cody Ruggirello (Walden, NY) broke out last season with a career-best 26-12 record and placed fourth in the EIWA Championships to earn his first bid to the NCAA Championships. A healthy Ruggirello, who earned his bachelor's degree last May and is working on a MBA degree in finance, has the ability to challenge for the top of the platform at the EIWA Championships and earn his second NCAA Championship bid in March. Red-shirt sophomore Cory Goshkagarian (Somerset, NJ), who wrestled in 15 matches in open tournaments at 149 and 157, and freshman Aaron Hartman (Palm Harbor, FL), a five-time Florida High School Championship place-winner and five-time county champion at Palm Harbor University High School, will back-up Ruggirello. "Cody seems to be making bigger strides than last year," Papadatos commented. "He has the ultimate equalizer in that he is good on top. He can pin anybody at any time. He is hard to take down, he's scrappy, and he competes and scrambles. We expect Cody to be an All-American this year."

157
The Pride actually have two starters returning at 157 pounds in 2014-15 as senior Nick Terdick (East Northport, NY), who started off last season as the starter at 157 but will be moving up to 165 this year, and red-shirt sophomore Jahlani Callender (North Lauderdale, FL), who took over the job in January, both return. Callender, who recorded a 12-5 mark at 149 before moving up to 157 and posting a 6-5 mark during the second half of the season, continued to improve as the season went along last season. His year of experience last season should prove to be most beneficial for the Pride in 2014-15. "Jahlani is super talented and has immense ability," Papadatos says. "We are looking for great things from him this season."

165
With the graduation of graduate-student Joe Booth, who posted a career-best 35-9 record, became Hofstra's first EIWA champion, and was one of four NCAA Championship qualifiers last season, Terdick will be looking to close out his career on a high note as he moves from 157 to 165 pounds this season. The fifth-year senior tallied a 7-9 record at 157 pounds in the first half of last season. Terdick, who started and posted a 7-23 record at 165 pounds in 2012-13, will be challenged by freshman Bobby Fehr (Bath, PA), a two-time Pennsylvania State High School Championship place-winner who recorded a 98-32 career record at Northampton High School, and senior Jay Lysne, who has seen limited action during his two-year Hofstra career. Fehr also placed sixth in the Super 32 Nationals while Lysne is expecting to graduate in just three years. "Nick is a senior who has experience and looks like he is prepared to have the best season of his career," Papadatos commented. "We think he can be a big contributor to the team this year. Bobby has been one of the most impressive freshmen on the team this year. He has an impressive defense and is very powerful. I look forward to his development this year."

174
A not-so-funny thing happened at 174 pounds on the way to last season. 2012-13 starter Jermaine John (Brooklyn, NY) suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason that sent the Pride staff scurrying to fill the void. The first replacement resulted in three wins in 11 matches before red-shirt freshman Frank Affronti (Ontario, NY) was called on to take over the role in late November. He grew into the position and finished the year at 16-16 and placed fourth in the EIWA Championships. Affronti will return to his starting role this season in a weight class with little depth. "Frank made huge improvements throughout the season last year and continued to do so during the off-season," Papadatos said. "I think he will be surprising opponents this season."

184
The 184-pound weight class, like the classes before and after, were problematic for the Pride last season. Hofstra was 9-16 at 184 in 2013-14 and will have a new starter there this season. Papadatos is expecting a strong battle between John, a red-shirt junior and former 174-pound starter, and freshman Cory Damiana (Cape May, NJ). All eyes will be on the super strong John to see how he rebounds from a season-ending injury last season as he bumps up a weight class this year. He was 19-13 and placed second in the Colonial Athletic Association at 174 two years ago. Damiana was a three-time district champion and New Jersey State High School Championship qualifier at Lower Cape May High School. "Jermaine is stronger than we expected after coming back from missing last season with an injury," Papadatos says. "I think by moving up a weight class he will be able to focus more on getting better and winning. He is definitely strong enough to handle the weight class. Cory is talented and should give Jermaine a run for his money. We are excited about his future."

197
The graduation of Zeal McGrew leaves the 197-pound weight class wide open for two freshmen to battle it out for the starting role. Michael Oxley (Middletown, NJ) is a two-time district and regional champion who placed fifth in the New Jersey High School Championships as a senior. He recorded a 94-23 mark during his scholastic career. Pushing Oxley for the starting nod will be Demetrius "DJ" Zissimos (Broomfield, CO), who was an all-conference selection in wrestling and football and placed fifth in the Colorado High School State Championships in 2013. "I am most concerned about this weight class because our two guys are young and inexperienced in a very talented division," Papadatos says. "Both Mike and DJ are working hard and we look forward to their progress throughout the season."

285
A bigger and stronger Michael Hughes (Smithtown, NY) returns to the starting role at 285 pounds in 2014-15 after having a baptism by fire as an undersized freshman last season. Hughes, who wrestled at around 230 pounds as a freshman, worked hard on his size, strength and technique in the off-season and should improve upon his 13-20 mark of a year ago. As a freshman, he placed fifth in the New York State Collegiate Championships and was 3-4 in the tough EIWA. Hughes, who posted a 109-9 career record in high school, captured the New York State High School Championship title in 2013 during his 42-0 season. "Mike is as strong as anyone in the country," Papadatos says. "He has made big gains since last year and we look for him to be a leader on this team."

Schedule
Hofstra's 17-match schedule includes seven contests against opponents that finished in the top 20 at the 2014 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Oklahoma City, OK last March. Hofstra will face three of those opponents – Oklahoma, Cornell and Virginia Tech at home. The Sooners placed 10th at the NCAA Championships last season, while the Big Red was seventh overall. The Pride close the regular season with a meeting against the Hokies, who finished eighth at nationals a season ago.
The Pride face Missouri, which placed 14th at the NCAAs, and North Carolina State, which was 19th, at the Journeyman/Asics Northeast Duals and then meet Maryland at The Grapple at the Garden. The Terrapins finished 20th at the NCAA Championships in 2014.
Hofstra's lone true road contest against a top-20 NCAA Championship team will come at Lehigh in the second dual match of the season and in the Pride's EIWA opener. Lehigh placed 18th at the NCAA Championships last season.