Two WHS Grads Earn Starting Spots for Hofstra Wrestling Team

Two Wantagh High School graduates have earned starting spots for the Hofstra wrestling team's 2010-2011 season that gets underway this Saturday.

Hofstra wrestling head coach Tom Shifflett helped determine his starting lineup after holding the program's annual Wrestle-offs on Oct. 28 before a crowd of around 500 at the Physical Education Building. Earning starting spots following the Wrestle-offs were red-shirt sophomore Steve Bonanno (125 pounds) and freshman Matt Loew (197 pounds).

Bonanno will return to his starting spot at 125 pounds after wrestling in just one match last season due to knee and arm injuries. Bonanno, who won a New York state title for Wantagh High School in 2008, defeated Pride sophomore Jaime Franco 3-1 in the Oct. 28 wrestle-off. As a freshman two years ago Bonanno was 29-15, a Colonial Athletic Association finalist and a NCAA qualifier.

Loew earned his starting spot with a major decision victory over red-shirt freshman Tim Murphy in the Oct. 28 wrestle-off. Loew arrives at Hofstra after a stellar high school career at Wantagh where he was a two-time runner-up at the New York State Championships.

Hofstra opens the 2010-11 season this Saturday at the Edinboro University Duals against Purdue. Hofstra's home opener is scheduled for Dec. 11 against Maryland at 2 p.m.