Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra wrestling team hit the mat in a competitive setting for the first time this season from inside the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Friday evening in its Hofstra Wrestle-Offs.

The Pride wrestled 11 bouts in a dual-style format that pit Hofstra White against Hofstra Blue, with Hofstra Blue earning a narrow 22-21 victory over Hofstra White.

The night began at 197 pounds, with Nikolas Miller scoring a 13-0 major decision over James Watterson. Ben Somerville picked up an 8-1 decision win over Noah Bila in the 285-pound match. At 125, Jacob Moon decisioned Dylan Acevedo-Switzer by a score of 5-1, and Joel Mylin defeated Matthew Templeton by 10-2 major decision in the 133/141 catchweight match.

In the 141 pound match, Justin Hoyle won by 7-2 decision over Ty Cymmerman, and Michael Leandrou earned a 10-2 major decision victory over Eric Shindel. In the 157/165 catchweight match, preseason No. 32 Ricky Stamm needed sudden victory overtime to win by 7-5 decision over Joe McGinty, and Reece Heller won a tight 3-2 decision over Ross McFarland at 174.

Moving on to the 184 pound match, preseason No. 27 Charles Small won by fall at 3:25 of the match over Watterson, while preseason No. 29 Trey Rogers picked up a 22-7 technical fall over Miller at 6:16 of the 197 pound match. In the final bout of the evening, preseason No. 26 Zachary Knighton-Ward picked up a 19-6 major decision win against Somerville.

Hofstra will officially open the 2021-22 season on Sunday, November 7. The Pride will travel to Pennsylvania for the Clarion Open, hosted by Clarion University.
 
197: Nikolas Miller (White) maj. dec. James Watterson (Blue) 13-0
285: Ben Somerville (Blue) maj. dec. Noah Bila (White) 9-1
125: Jacob Moon (Blue) dec. Dylan Acevedo-Switzer (White) 6-1
133/141: Joel Mylin (White) maj. dec. Matthew Templeton (Blue) 10-2
141: Justin Hoyle (Blue) dec. Ty Cymmerman (White) 8-2
149: Michael Leandrou (Blue) maj. dec. Eric Shindel (White) 10-2
157/165: Ricky Stamm (Blue) dec. Joe McGinty (White) 7-5 (SV-1)
174: Reece Heller (White) dec. Ross McFarland (Blue) 3-2
184: Charles Small (White) wbf James Watterson (Blue) 3:25
197: Trey Rogers (Blue) tech fall Nikolas Miller (White) 22-7 (6:16)
285: Zachary Knighton-Ward (White) maj. dec. Ben Somerville (Blue) 19-6