March 18, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Four Rider Wrestlers Heading to Nationals
Rider co-Hosts Championships in Albany This Weekend
LAWRENCEVILLE-Rider University is sending four wrestlers to the NCAA Division I National Championships this weekend, and for the first time ever the Broncs are serving as co-host to a National Championship.
Rider, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, and Siena College are hosting the Wrestling Nationals March 21-23 at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, NY.
Representing the Broncs will be junior Derek Jenkins (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland), junior Nick Harrington (Stockton/Hunterdon Central), senior Jerold Limongelli (Massapequa, NY) and junior Greg Sawyer (Monroeville, NJ/Delsea).
On Thursday, Jenkins, the 11th seed, will take on Dave Bolyard of Central Michigan in the first round. Jenkins beat Bolyard 1-0 at the Midlands Championships this winter. Limongelli takes on the sixth seed, Matt Ridings of Oklahoma. Limongelli lost to Ridings 12-5 earlier this year. Harrington will face Charles Martel of Michigan, and Sawyer faces the sixth seed, Kyle Smith of Michigan, in the first round Thursday.
Jenkins is the Colonial Athletic Association champion at 157 pounds, and makes his third trip to Nationals, where he has won three bouts in his career. Jenkins is currently ranked 10th in the nation.
Harrington was the 165-pound CAA runner-up, after moving up two weight classes in February. The only unseeded wrestler to reach the CAA finals, Harrington makes his first appearance at Nationals.
Limongelli makes his third trip to Nationals as a wildcard selection, after placing fourth in the 125-pound weight class at the CAA Championships. Limongelli has won two bouts at Nationals in his career.
Sawyer placed third at the CAAs in the 197-pound weight class. Sawyer advances to Nationals as a wildcard selection in his first season as a Bronc, transferring from Seton Hall.
Rider head coach Gary Taylor has come home from Nationals with 11 All-Americans since 1980, including Shawn Scannell in 2000 and Leo Giel in 1999, both current assistant coaches. Rider's top assistant, John Hangey, was an All-American for Rider in 1993.
-RU-
2002 NCAA Wrestling Bracket (Web Site)
Wrestling Brackets in pdf link (Adobe)
