March 8, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAA Wrestling Championship
Rider Finishes in Fifth Place
Jenkins, Stinson Champs, Marrero Runner-up, Sawyer Third
All Four Heading To Nationals
HEMPSTEAD , NY--The Rider University wrestling team placed fifth of 11 teams at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships, hosted by Hofstra University.
Senior Derek Jenkins (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland), the #2 seed who is ranked 12th in the nation at 157, defeated the 11th ranked wrestler in the nation and the top seed, Mike Patrovich of Hofstra, 3-1 in sudden victory in the finals. It was the second CAA Title for Jenkins, who makes his fourth trip to Nationals. Jenkins defeated the third seed, Rob Belville of Sacred Heart 4-1 in the semi-finals. Jenkins was named the tournament co-Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Freshman Bobby Stinson (Berlin/Camden Catholic), the third seed at 125, defeated the fourth seed, Aaron Suranofsky of George Mason 8-2 in the finals. Stinson defeated the #2 seed, Andy Bricker of Campbell in the semi-finals 2-1 on a tie-breaker.
Junior heavyweight Carmelo Marrero (Douglasville, PA/Daniel Boone), the third seed, defeated the #2 seed, Derrell Lorthridge of Old Dominion, 5-3 in sudden victory in the semi-finals, but lost to the top seed, Mike Carroll of Drexel 4-1 in the finals to place runner-up.
Stinson, Sawyer and Marrero will make their first trip to Nationals, held this year in Kansas City March 20-22.
Rider 197 Greg Sawyer (Monroeville/Delsea) the fourth seed, was pinned by the top seed who is ranked fourth in the nation, Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra, in 2:48 in the semi-finals, but defeated Chris Jones of Drexel, 11-4, in the battle for third place. Jones is ranked 16th in the nation.
Rider 165 John Robinson (Benton, PA/Benton), the sixth seed, lost to the #2 seed, Leighton Brady of Boston U. 9-4 in the semi-finals. Brady is ranked 18th in the nation.
Jenkins revenged his only CAA loss earlier this year to the rookie from Hofstra. "The day after Patrovich beat me I got up at 8:00 in the morning and started training to do the things I needed to do to get better and beat him and make the Nationals," Jenkins said. "He's a good wrestler but I'm a senior and he's a freshman and I wasn't going to lose to a freshman."
"I feel good," said Stinson, the winningest high school wrestler ever in New Jersey. "I'm happy about getting to the NCAAs. I'm going to Kansas City to represent my school, and myself, and to become an All-American."
Team standings: Hofstra 124, Sacred Heart 65, Drexel 52, Boston 51.5, Rider 48, James Madison 44.5, George Mason 28.5, Binghamton 26.5, Old Dominion 23, Campbell 21, Wagner 5.
-RU-
