Free live internet broadcast set for Friday’s No. 6 Hofstra vs. No. 14 Penn dual meet
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Michelle Thilges (USA Wrestling)
01/25/2007
Two of the nation's top college teams will battle it out Friday night in front of a live audience and the entire nation.
The match-up between No. 14 Penn and No. 6 Hofstra will be broadcast for free online through Penn Sports Network. The dual will take place at 7 p.m. EST at The Palestra in Philadelphia, Pa.
The live broadcast can be seen for free by going to their website and creating a login and register. Tomorrow's event will be free, but normally, a fee is necessary for viewing events.
To create a free login and register for the dual, click here
"The broadcast is a great way for the national wrestling community who can't come to see it in person to watch," said Penn Head Coach Zeke Jones. "It is a way to reach fans on a national basis and to promote the sport and the programs."
Jones said the dual will have two quality teams facing off, and will feature many nationally ranked athletes.
Hofstra beat the No. 1 Minnesota team earlier this year at the Northeast Duals. Nine individuals wrestling for The Pride are ranked in the top 20. Senior James Strouse is ranked second at 157 pounds. All-American Mike Patrovich remained at No. 6 at 165 pounds. Also leading the way for Hofstra is Chris Weidman, at 197 pounds, who holds a No. 11 national ranking.
Penn has six individuals who are nationally ranked. The Quakers are led by NCAA Champion Matt Valenti (133 pounds) and All-American Matt Herrington (174 pounds), both who are ranked No. 2 in their respective weight classes. Valenti is coming close to achieving Penn's all-time winning record. He currently stands in second place with 119 wins. The record now stands at 128 wins by Brett Matter.
In six of the probable match-ups, both wrestlers hold national rankings. The outcome of the dual meet may come down to the final match.
The Quakers have not competed at The Palestra since the Keystone Classic in November, and hasn't hosted a dual meet since last season.
Jones said similar broadcasts have been a success in the past. During Penn's recent tournament, the Keystone Classic, the broadcast had the most hits in the history of the site, including men's basketball and football competitions.
Probable match-ups are:
125 - #11 Matt Eveleth (Penn) vs. #19 Dave Tomasette (Hofstra)
133 - #2 Matt Valenti (Penn) vs. #17 Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra)
141 - Brett McCurdy (Penn) vs. #7 Charles Griffin (Hofstra)
149 - Rob Hitschler (Penn) vs. Mike Parziale (Hofstra)
157 - #16 Matt Dragon (Penn) vs. #2 James Strouse (Hofstra)
165 - #12 Zack Shanaman (Penn) vs. Mike Patrovich (Hofstra)
174 - #2 Matt Herrington (Penn) vs. #13 Alton Lucas (Hofstra)
184 - #14 Lior Zamir (Penn) vs. #7 Joe Rovelli (Hofstra)
197 - Jack Sullivan (Penn) vs. #10 Chris Weidman (Hofstra)
Hwt. - Ben Reiter (Penn) vs. Matt Pollock (Hofstra)