Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Pride Wrestling team, under third-year coach Dennis Papadatos, kicks off its 2016-17 season this Sunday, November 13 at the Jonathan Kaloust Binghamton Bearcat Open at the Binghamton Events Center. The tournament, which features over 20 institutions and many nationally-ranked grapplers, begins at 9 a.m.
 
Fans will be able to follow every match on all ten mats as TrackWrestling.com will provide live stats and video.
 
The event honors United States Navy Special Warfare Operator third class Jonathan H. Kaloust, a Binghamton alumnus and former Bearcat wrestler. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2010. The Massapequa, Long Island, native joined the military and was killed during a training exercise in May 2013 while serving his country as a Navy SEAL.

Papadatos, a former assistant wrestling coach at Binghamton from 2006 through 2011 who recruited and coached Kaloust, will be bringing six of his wrestlers to the Open while the remainder of the team will attend and wrestle unattached. The six who will be wearing the Hofstra singlet on Sunday include red-shirt junior Kyle Krasavage at 141, red-shirt sophomore Connor Muli at 149, red-shirt freshman Jake Kaminsky at 157, red-shirt sophomore Michael Oxley at 184, red-shirt sophomore Nezar Haddad at 197 and either red-shirt sophomore Bobby Fehr at 165 or red-shirt freshman Connor Burkert at 141.

Last year, Hofstra's Michael Hughes captured the 285-pound title to lead 12 Pride wrestlers at Jonathan Kaloust Memorial-Bearcat Open. Hughes posted a 6-0 mark in the Open with two wins by fall and two major decisions. Jahlani Callender recorded the most matches on the day for the Pride with eight and recorded a 6-2 slate at 157 pounds. Bryan Damon, was 5-2 with a win by fall and a tech fall. He advanced to the seventh round of the consolations before falling to Binghamton's Steven Bulzomi, 10-8.

Frank Affronti posted a 4-2 slate at 174 pounds including a win by fall and three decisions. He, too, advanced to the seventh round of the consolations. Three Hofstra grapplers, Cory Goshkagarian at 157, Cory Damiana at 184 and freshman Omar Haddad at 197, posted 3-2 records on the day. Jermaine John was 2-2 overall, but 1-1 in countable matches, on the day. Bobby Fehr posted a 1-2 record at 165 pounds and was the final member of the Pride to post a victory on the day. Alex Mirante at 149, Michael Oxley at 197 and red-shirt freshman Connor Muli at 141 were each 0-2 on the day at the 2015 Bearcat Open.