College Wrestling

Rider University 21, Hofstra University 15

HEMPSTEAD, NY—The Broncs won five bouts to defeat long-time rival Hofstra Sunday afternoon. “We've been banged up recently but we're slowly getting people back into the lineup,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “Hopefully we'll have everybody back soon.”

For Rider (10-6, 1-1 EWL) freshman B.J. Clagon (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) won by fall in the final bout for the win. “It felt good to have BJ in that last match,” Taylor said of the deciding bout. “He did a nice job.”

It was Clagon's fifth pin of the season, improving to 19-7 overall, 12-4 in duals.

Also for the Broncs, senior Donald McNeil (Plainville, Mass./Wyoming Seminary) returned from an injury, missing the last three matches, to win 12-6 at 197, giving Rider a 9-6 lead.

“I knew we were not going to beat Hofstra if we did not have Donald and Conor (Brennan) back,” Taylor said, “and both of them did a good job doing what they needed to do to help the team.”

Freshman Chad Walsh (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) and junior Conor Brennan (Brick, NJ/Brick Twp.) also won, while junior Rob Deutsch (Cherry Hill, NJ/Eastern Regional) won by forfeit.

Rider and Hofstra were conference rivals from 1973-74 until last year, competing in the East Coast Conference, the East Coast Wrestling Association and the Colonial Athletic Association. “We're in different conferences now but they are still an old rival so it is nice to defeat them,” Taylor said.

This is the second year in a row that Rider has defeated Hofstra (5-9, 3-4 EIWA), but just the third time in the last 16 years. “Before last year they had our number for a while so hopefully we can have their number for a while,” Taylor said.

Rider hosts former conference rival Drexel Friday. “Drexel has a good, balanced team,” Taylor said.  “Hopefully we'll be a little healthier for that match.”

Rider 21, Hofstra 15

157  Chad Walsh-R dec. Jahlani Callender-H                   5-4                    3-0

165 Conor Brennan-R dec. Nick Terdick-H                       10-6                  6-0

174  Frank Affronti-H dec. Steve Nelson-R                      4-0                    6-3 

184  Jermaine John-H  dec. Ali Yildiz-R                           10-5                  6-6

197  Don McNeil-R   dec. Michael Oxley-H                      12-6                  9-6

Hwt  Mike Hughes-H dec. Greg Velasco-R                      5-1                    9-9

125  Bryan Damon-H  dec. Zach Valcarce-R                    6-5                    9-12

133  Rob Deutsch-R  wins by forfeit                                                       15-12

141 Jamel Hudson-H dec. Chuck Zeisloft-R                    8-2                    15-15

149  B.J. Clagon-R wbf Alex Mirante-H                                                   21-15