As the anticipation builds for the upcoming wrestling season, the Hofstra University wrestling team proudly hosted their highly anticipated annual blue versus gold wrestle-offs on Thursday, Oct. 24. This year’s event featured a mix of new talent and seasoned athletes, with two freshmen and one transfer stepping into the Hofstra singlet for their inaugural matches against a formidable lineup of 20 returning wrestlers.
Action kicked off at 133 pounds with redshirt freshman Ryan Arbeit squaring off against freshman Gauge Shipp. The match was an electrifying display of skill, concluding with Shipp securing a decisive victory at 19-11, which allowed him to advance and challenge redshirt junior Chase Liardi.
Returning to the mat after a lengthy injury hiatus, Liardi faced Shipp in a fiercely contested duel. The match was incredibly close, nearly extending into overtime as Liardi held a precarious one-point lead, though Shipp maintained a significant advantage in riding time. In a nail-biting finish, Shipp fell just one second short of earning a vital riding time point, resulting in a tight 6-5 defeat to Liardi.
In another highlight of the night, Columbia University graduate transfer Kyle Mosher showcased his prowess at 165 pounds, decisively overpowering redshirt junior Matt Rogers. Mosher’s performance was remarkable as he concluded the bout by technical fall in the third period with a commanding score of 17-2, following Rogers’ earlier clash with fellow redshirt junior Eric Shindel, who fought hard for the opportunity to face Mosher.
The matchup at 125 pounds featured senior and returning starter Dylan Acevedo-Switzer in an intense battle against freshman Teague Strobel. Their contest was so closely fought that it extended into overtime, ending in a deadlock at 1-1. Ultimately, Strobel secured the win with a crucial takedown, marking an impressive feat in his debut.
Star graduate student Ross McFarland opted to sit out this round, leaving redshirt freshman Matthew Waddell and redshirt sophomore Greyson Harris to clash at 174 pounds. After an evenly matched contest that saw the two locked at 2-2 through regulation and a full two-minute overtime period, Waddell emerged victorious by escaping in ride-out periods, clinching a narrow 3-2 victory.
Later that evening, redshirt freshman Gavin Proffitt faced Harris, with both vying for a potential starting position at either 184 pounds or 174 pounds. Harris bounced back with an impressive performance, amassing 17 points to take the match by technical fall in the second period with a score of 17-2.
At 141 pounds, redshirt freshman Cam Ice met redshirt sophomore Joe Sparacio, who dominated the match and cruised to a resounding 17-1 technical fall victory. Sparacio’s impressive show continued as he moved on to challenge graduate student Justin Hoyle.
Sparacio went head-to-head with Hoyle in a thrilling contest, ultimately emerging victorious with an inspirational 8-4 overtime win against the team captain, who was returning from injury after missing significant time last season.
In another riveting match-up, sophomore Noah Tapia faced redshirt sophomore Alex Turley, who had previously claimed victory against redshirt freshman Dylan Zenion to earn his shot at last season’s starter at 149 pounds. Tapia maintained his strong form and secured a decisive 17-2 victory over Turley.
Revisiting last season’s thrilling wrestle-offs, redshirt sophomore Jurius Clark narrowly triumphed over redshirt freshman Frank Volpe in a gripping rematch, securing his victory with a final score of 4-1 in overtime.
At the 197-pound weight class, a key battle unfolded between two returning starters: redshirt sophomore Nikolas Miller and sophomore Will Conlon, who transitioned from wrestling at 184 pounds. The competition intensified in the larger weight category, with Miller edging past Conlon with a close score of 4-3.
In an eagerly anticipated rematch from last season’s wrestle-offs, redshirt freshman Danny Church once again faced off against redshirt sophomore Adrian Sans in the heavyweight division. Church managed to secure another victory, winning by the narrowest of margins at 4-3.
Hofstra’s wrestling team is poised for competition, gearing up for their first event at the Princeton Open on Sunday, Nov. 3, followed by their inaugural home dual meet scheduled for Nov. 16.
Photos courtesy of Amelia Bashy
**Interview with Hofstra University Wrestling Coach: Anticipating the New Season After the Blue vs. Gold Wrestle-Offs**
**Editor:** Joining us today is Coach [Name], head coach of the Hofstra University wrestling team. Coach, thanks for being here!
**Coach:** Thanks for having me!
**Editor:** Last Thursday, Hofstra hosted its annual blue versus gold wrestle-offs. How did it feel to see the team in action after such a long offseason?
**Coach:** It was truly exhilarating to see the athletes back on the mat. The energy in the gym was palpable, and it was a wonderful opportunity for both our returning wrestlers and newcomers to showcase their skills. The event is a great way to kick off the season.
**Editor:** There were some standout performances, particularly from freshman Gauge Shipp, who won against Ryan Arbeit and then challenged the returning Chase Liardi. What did you think of his performance?
**Coach:** Gauge showed a lot of promise. His ability to compete with experienced wrestlers, especially in such a close match against Liardi, speaks volumes about his potential. He’s got great tenacity and technical skills. It was a great learning experience for him.
**Editor:** Speaking of Chase Liardi, how did you assess his return after his injury hiatus?
**Coach:** I was impressed with how Chase handled the pressure, especially in such a closely contested match. Even though he faced challenges, he was able to maintain his composure and take the win. His experience is invaluable to our team.
**Editor:** We also saw Kyle Mosher dominate at 165 pounds with a technical fall against Matt Rogers. How does his presence impact the team?
**Coach:** Kyle’s experience from Columbia really adds depth to our lineup. His performance was a testament to his hard work and preparation, and having a graduate transfer like him raises the bar for everyone else. It’s essential for our team’s growth.
**Editor:** Freshman Teague Strobel had an impressive overtime takedown to win at 125 pounds. How important are such victories for newcomers?
**Coach:** Those moments can be pivotal for a freshman. Winning a nail-biter like that builds confidence and sets a standard for competition. We always emphasize the importance of resilience, and Teague demonstrated that excellently.
**Editor:** The competition was fierce across all weight classes. What are your expectations for the team as you head into the season?
**Coach:** There’s a lot of potential in our roster this year. We have a healthy mix of returning talent and exciting newcomers. I expect continuous improvement, strong team unity, and a lot of competitive spirit. It’s all about building momentum as we move forward.
**Editor:** Any final thoughts as you gear up for the season?
**Coach:** I just want to express how proud I am of the effort each wrestler put in. The camaraderie and competitive spirit shown during the wrestle-offs promise a thrilling season ahead. I can’t wait to see how they perform as the matches progress.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach! We look forward to following the Hofstra wrestling team’s journey this season.
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support.
**Coach:** Kyle’s performance was fantastic, and it’s clear he brings a level of intensity and skill that elevates the entire team. His experience as a graduate transfer is key for us, especially in mentoring our younger wrestlers. Each match he competes in builds our team’s confidence and sets a standard for excellence.
**Editor:** It sounds like a strong dynamic is forming within the team. Can you share your thoughts on some of the other exciting matches, like the overtime battle between Dylan Acevedo-Switzer and Teague Strobel, which ultimately went in favor of Strobel?
**Coach:** That match was a real nail-biter! Both wrestlers displayed incredible determination. Teague really stepped up during his debut, and securing the win in overtime demonstrates his grit. It’s what we look for in our wrestlers: a never-give-up attitude, even in tough situations.
**Editor:** As you look ahead to the Princeton Open and the home dual meet later this month, what are your key focuses for the team?
**Coach:** Our primary focus will be on conditioning and strategy. We want to ensure that everyone is mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. Additionally, we will review match footage to help the wrestlers learn from their experiences and improve. With each competition, we aim to strengthen our bond as a team and build on our performance.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Coach! We look forward to seeing how the season unfolds for Hofstra wrestling. Good luck at the upcoming events!
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and can’t wait to showcase our hard work on the mat.
