Hofstra University Athletics

Hofstra Faces No. 1 Penn State Sunday

12/7/2023 10:16:00 AM

By: Len Skoros

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University wrestling team will compete in its second dual meet of the season and its second against a top-six nationally ranked opponent when the Pride travels to No. 1 Penn State Sunday for a 1 p.m. match at Rec Hall. Hofstra opened the dual meet schedule against No. 6 Ohio State.

The match will be live streamed on Big10+ with live statistics available at Track Wrestling. Penn State will also offer a free audio stream. Links for all can be found above or on the wrestling schedule page of GoHofstra.com.

The Pride (0-1) is coming off an appearance at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this past weekend. Freshman 149-pounder Noah Tapia turned in the Pride's best showing at the event, posting a 2-2 record with a win over the No. 14 ranked wrestler in the nation. Dylan Ryder (125) and Ross McFarland (174) also picked up victories in Las Vegas. The Pride's Keaton Kluever, who is ranked No. 21 at 285 pounds did not compete in Las Vegas due to illness.

Penn State is coming off a 30-10 win over Lehigh in the dual match opener for the Nittany Lions last Sunday. The Penn State starting line-up features eight ranked wrestlers this week. Aaron Nagao is ranked No. 4 at 133 pounds, Beau Bartlett is No. 2 at 141, Levi Haines is No. 1 at 157, Mitchell Mesenbrink is No. 14 at 165, Carter Starocci is No. 1 at 174, Bernie Truax is No. 2 at 184, Aaron Brooks is No. 1 at 197, and Greg Kerkvliet is No. 1 at 285.

Hofstra is 2-5 all-time against Penn State. The teams last met Nov. 16, 2008, with the Pride posting an 18-15 victory at Rec Hall. This will mark the fourth time Hofstra has faced a No. 1 ranked team and is 1-2 all-time in such situations. The Pride defeated No. 1 Minnesota in 2006 (18-17) and lost to top-ranked Oklahoma State in 2005 and to Minnesota in 2012.

Following the match, Hofstra will have 10 days off for final exams before returning to action with a pair of matches on December 20. The Pride will travel to Baltimore, Maryland for a 2 p.m. match at Morgan State and then face Bloomsburg in a neutral site matchup at 4 p.m.

Print Friendly Version