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Wrestling Moves to 4-8 After 32-19 Defeat of Howard
Harris remains undefeated in dual meets; Hoffer has 112th career win

January 23, 2002

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- American University wrestling held strong against local foe Howard, earning their fourth dual meet win of the season by a team score of 32-19. Currently ranked at No. 16 in the nation by Intermat, senior 149-pounder Marc Hoffer (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Central) recorded his 112th career win with a 22-8 major decision over Howard’s Headley Murray. Meanwhile, senior Willie Harris (Washington, D.C./DeMatha) remained perfect in dual meets this season with a 5-2 decision over Reginald Torrence at 125 lbs.

The meet started at heavyweight as Jared Hyman (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) found trouble against Howard’s Adrian Thompson. Hyman fell, 8-4, placing him at 5-7 in dual meets this season and breaking his five-match winning streak. Harris’s decision over Torrence at 125 lbs. put him at 8-0 in dual meets for 2001-02.

At 133 lbs., sophomore Matthew Pelligrino (Manalapan, N.J./Freehold) lost by a 18-3 technical fall to Bison standout Derek Butts. Neither team had an entry at 141 lbs., and at 149 lbs. Hoffer remained strong through three periods in his 22-8 major decision over Murray. American then also took 157 lbs. as sophomore Aviv Bercovicz (Wauside, N.J./Cean Township) notched a convincing 16-3 decision over Brandon Hogan.

Freshman Eric Fantegrossi (Needham, Mass./Needham) struggled at 165 lbs, as Ephraim Walker took the match by technical fall, 17-2. The Eagles bounced back at 174 lbs. when Aaron Baker (Amarillo, Tex./Tacosa) defeated James Blanton by a 5-2 decision. American then took the final two matches at 184 lbs. and 197 lbs. by forfeit to earn the 32-19 team victory.

The Eagles move to 4-8 in duals on the season. They will remain at home for their next meet, a dual versus Franklin & Marshall on Sunday, February 3 starting at 1:00 p.m.