Hempstead, NY – Hofstra Wrestling fans will get their first opportunity to see the 2015-16 team on Friday night, October 30th at the Mack Sports Complex when the Pride hold their annual preseason wrestle-offs. Matches begin at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

Hofstra Head Wrestling Coach Dennis Papadatos, entering his second year with the Pride, has put together a tentative line-up of 10 matches for Friday night's wrestle-offs, some of which may have an impact on the starting line-up for the season which begins on Sunday, November 8 at the Binghamton Open.

Hofstra's first dual matches of the season will be at the Journeymen/Asics Northeast Duals at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York on Sunday, November 15. The Pride will face Northern Iowa, Lock Haven and Michigan at the Northeast Duals.

But many questions have to be answered as the Pride will wrap up their second week of their official preseason practice on Friday with the wrestle-offs. Papadatos will be looking to fill the holes left by the graduation of two-time NCAA qualifier Cody Ruggirello at 149 as well as Nick Terdick at 165, as well as selecting starters at 133, 174 and 184.

He will have 15 returnees, including eight starters, as well as five newcomers from which to fill the line-up. Leading the group of returnees is junior, NCAA qualifier Jamel Hudson at 141 pounds. Hudson recorded a 24-6 mark last season and placed fifth in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championships to earn his first NCAA Championship berth.

Classmate Michael Hughes posted a 22-11 record at 285 and placed first at the New York State Championships, second at the Lock Haven Invitational and seventh in the EIWA Championships. Sophomore Bryan Damon (14-11) at 125 and juniors Frank Affronti (17-15) at 174 and Jahlani Callender (16-15) at 157 also return after posting winning records in starting roles last season.

Papadatos will utilize the wrestle-offs and the next couple of weeks of practice and competitions to best complete the Pride line-up after several preseason nicks and ailments on the roster. "I am really excited to show everyone our familiar faces along with our new faces of Hofstra Wrestling," Papadatos said. "I believe we have made big gains since the last time we took the mat.  I look forward to showing that to the fans in attendance. I am also interested to see how we will compete, especially in a stressful environment such as a wrestle-off. "

Here are the tentative match-ups for the 2015-16 Hofstra Wrestle-Offs:

Match 1- 141 Connor Muli vs Ryan Burkert
Match 2- 157 Jake Kaminsky vs Cory Goshkagarian
Match 3- 197 Michael Oxley vs Omar Haddad
Match 4- 133 Travis Passaro vs Connor Burkert
Match 5- 149 Aaron Hartmann vs Alex Mirante
Match 6- 165 Jermaine John vs Bobby Fehr
Match 7- EXB 174/184 Frank Affronti vs Cory Damiana
Match 8- 141 Jamel Hudson vs Match 1 Winner
Match 9- 157 Jahlani Callender vs Match 2 Winner
Match 10-EXB 197/285 Michael Hughes vs Match 3 Winner