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American Wrestling Competes at Las Vegas Invitational
Hoffer advances to second round at 149 lbs.

December 3, 2001

LAS VEGAS, NEV. -- The American wrestling team returned from a cross country trip this weekend after competing at the Las Vegas Invitational on Dec. 1-2. The Eagles finished in 38th place in team scoring with 14 points.

Senior captain Marc Hoffer (Sr., Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central), currently ranked 14th in InterMat's Division I rankings at the 149 lbs. mark, had the top finish for American, advancing to the second round in the 149 lbs. weight class before falling to Patriot League foe Mike Pirozzola of Lehigh University by a neutral WBF. Pirozzola turned in a superb freshman effort, going 6-1 with 3 falls, 2 majors and a 9-7 consolation finals win for 3rd place over Michigan's All-American Mike Kulzcycki, rated 5th in the nation. Pirozzola's only loss was to champion Jesse Jantzen, in addition to the neutral WBF over Hoffer. Lehigh finished in third place at the tournament with a team score of 120.5.

The University of Michigan claimed first place at the tournament with 163 points. The Wolverines were able to dominate the team standing despite having their No. 1, 2 and 3 seed all fail to place (Matt Brink withdrew at Heavyweight because of a knee injury). West Virginia finished in second with 127 points.

American's first dual meet of 2001-02 is this Thursday, Dec. 6 at home in Bender Arena. Come cheer on the Eagle grapplers at 7:30 p.m. as they open their dual season against local foe George Mason.