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Hoffer Moves Through Consolation Rounds at NCAA Tournament
Senior has chance to place after winning three straight

Mar. 22, 2002

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Senior 149-pounder Marc Hoffer (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Central) still has the chance to place at the 72nd annual Division I NCAA Championships. Since a 11-2 first-round loss to No. 12 Scott Frohardt of Air Force, Hoffer has won three straight in the consolation bracket, defeating Ryan Berger of Illinois, 3-2, in the first round, then notching a 11-3 decision over Justin Giovinco of Pittsburgh in the second before toppling No. 10 Joe Henson of Pennsylvania, 10-6, in round three.

Hoffer's fourth-round opponent, Mike Zadick of Iowa, is the No. 1 seed at the tournament in the 149 lbs. division. Zadick lost by a 18-4 major decision to redshirt freshman sensation and eighth-ranked Jake Percival of Ohio in the championship quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, 125 lbs. senior Willie Harris (Washington, D.C./DeMatha), competing for the first time at the tournament, fell in round one of consolation action Thursday, losing by a 13-2 major decision at the hands of Matt Sanchez from CS Fuller. In the first round, Harris lost by decision, 5-2, to Greg Schaefer of Indiana. Harris holds a 19-7 overall record in 2001-02, including an impressive 13-1 dual meet record.

Hoffer and Harris each won their respective weight classes at the East Regional Tournament on Saturday, Mar. 9, in Millersville, Pa. to qualify for the NCAA competition.

Hoffer is making his third career appearance at the NCAA tournament in 2002. He also qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and fell in the first round. In 1999, he advanced to the quarterfinals, the farthest an American wrestler has advanced in school history.

Official NCAA Tournament Page

NCAA Tournament Bracket: 125 lbs.
NCAA Tournament Bracket: 149 lbs.