Hofstra wrestlers aim for big stage

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The NCAA 2016 Division 1 wrestling championships are slated for Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden this March, and Hofstra’s second-year head coach Dennis Papadatos hopes his team will be well represented in the Big Apple.

Hofstra is the host school for the three-day nationally televised event that has traditionally featured multiple Pride wrestlers. The Nassau County program has produced 29 All-Americans since 1948 including 1976 NCAA champion Nick Gallo and UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, who placed third in 2007.

“We talk about it a lot,” said Papadatos of the chance to compete on a national stage just 25 miles from the Hofstra campus. “If it doesn’t inspire you that you are the host team and the tourney is here in your backyard then you should be doing something else.”

Among the Hofstra wrestlers looking to hit the mats at “the World’s Most Famous Arena” is junior Jamel Hudson, who is the Pride’s lone returning NCAA champion qualifier. The 141-pound wrestler from Bay Shore is ranked 16th by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine and went 2-0 at the Grapple at the Garden on Nov. 29 when the Pride battled Maryland and Princeton.

“I believe he has the ability to win the whole national tournament,” Papadatos said of Hudson. “He is so talented and is a good-hearted kid.”

Junior Michael Hughes has also shined at 285 pounds capturing tournament titles at the Binghamton Open and the New York State championships. He has posted a 16-4 record and is ranked 22nd by WrestlingReport with eyes on the national championships after just missing out last year.

Junior Frank Affronti is ranked 29th at 174 pounds by WrestlingReport after a 16-6 start to the season. The Ontario, N.Y. – native recorded a 2-0 win over then 11th-ranked Jonathan Schleifer from Princeton during the Grapple at the Garden.

“He has made huge gains,” Papadatos said. “He is believing in himself.”

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