Sports

Former Wantagh Wrestling Standout Earns Major Academic Honor with Hofstra

Steve Bonanno named to the 2013 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)-Capital One Men's At-Large Academic All-America first team.

Wantagh native Steve Bonanno has added another academic honor to his numerous accomplishments achieved as a Hofstra University wrestler on and off the mats.

Bonanno, who just completed his senior season with Hofstra wrestling, was named to the 2013 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)-Capital One Men's At-Large Academic All-America first team last week. Last year, the Wantagh High School graduate was a CoSida-Capital One Men's At-Large Academic All-American second team selection. 

Bonanno, who earned Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors the last two years, received his undergraduate degree in accounting in May 2012. He returned to the Hofstra wrestling program for the 2012-13 school year to begin work on a MBA degree and complete his final year of eligibility on the collegiate mats.

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The last three years, Bonanno, who has been a Dean’s List member each of his semesters at Hofstra, was named to the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic squad. He is also a five-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Award recipient and a member of the Hofstra Athletics Academic Honor Roll his entire career. In addition, the former standout wrestler at Wantagh High School was awarded the Dr. James M. Shuart Male Scholar-Athlete Award at the annual Hofstra Pride Student-Athlete Awards Banquet in May 2012.

On the mat, Bonanno, a 2012 NCAA All-American, was the CAA 125-pound champion in 2012 and 2013. Bonanno, a four-time NCAA Championship qualifier, closed out his Hofstra career by winning 12 of his last 17 matches to finish with a 103-50 mark.

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At Wantagh High School, Bonanno captured a New York State Championship his senior season in 2008. He was also an Honorable mention All-American who was ranked 21st in the nation during his senior campaign for the Warriors.






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