College Previews: Hofstra Favored To Dominate the CAA Once Again
11/3/2002
John Fuller/TheMat.com

TheMat.com Projected CAA Finish:
1. Hofstra
2. Drexel
3. Rider
4. George Mason
5. Sacred Heart
6. James Madison
7. Old Dominion
8. Campbell
9. Boston University
10. Binghamton
11. Wagner

The CAA is a well-balanced conference and has legitimately become one of the top five conferences in the nation. Hofstra is the incumbent, but teams such as Drexel, Rider and even George Mason are making strong pushes at Hofstra's history of excellence in this conference.

Hofstra returns the strongest lineup this season. The Pride return four NCAA qualifiers, including Noel Thompson (165), who redshirted last year. In trade, CAA champion Tom Noto (125) will redshirt this year. If the Pride can get strong contributions from Chris Skretkowicz (197) and two talented freshmen in the lineup, then this team should be uncontested again.

Drexel also returns four NCAA qualifiers, but this squad has four holes in their lineup that freshmen will fill. If they get good development early on and if CAA champion Mike Carroll (285) can repeat, this team will have a solid chance to unseat Hofstra. Rider returns three NCAA qualifiers, including All-American candidate Derek Jenkins (157), but they must have a couple of talented wrestlers step up in their senior years, especially at 141 and 149, in order to compete with the top teams in this conference.

George Mason has a much better team than people know. Between 133 and 165, this team is almost unbeatable, especially with the return of Matthew Hunckler (133), Donnie DeFilippis (141), and Sean Early (165), all 2001 CAA champions before the merger with the ECWA. If those three can dominate in the new CAA, look for this team to be at or near the top of the conference standings.

Sacred Heart is under a new coaching regime, and this should be a good season for this squad. CAA champions Jason Cucolo (133) and Anthony Reynolds (197) are both All-American candidates. With the addition of a couple of transfers in the middle of the lineup and a talented freshman, this team has good depth and experience. James Madison will be led by CAA champion Seth Cameron (165) along with two returning conference placewinners. If they can get good contributions at the lighter weights, this team could break into the top half of the conference.

Old Dominion is solid at opposite ends of the lineup, John Starkes (125) and Derrell Lorthridge (285), but this team could start as many as three unproven freshmen this season. Campbell will bring in one of the best squads in school history. Brothers Andy (125) and Adam Bricker (141) are two of the best in the conference, but with five sophomores in the starting lineup, coaches are looking towards the future.

Boston University has lost a lot of transfers over the past two seasons, a lot of it in conference. Top wrestler Jose Leon (125) will redshirt, meaning the experience in the middle of this lineup will be expected to make major contributions this season. Binghamton is still getting used to this Division I thing. There is some really good talent in this wrestling room, but mostly undeveloped. Look for Kyle Willard (125) to have a major impact this season.

Wagner should struggle this season. This team has no depth, and talent is limited. The four returning wrestlers they have were all pinned in the CAA Tournament last year. There is some experience, but if this team's technical skills don't improve, they could be in some big trouble again this year.

TEAM PREVIEWS:
Binghamton
Boston University
Campbell
Drexel
George Mason
Hofstra
James Madison
Old Dominion
Rider
Sacred Heart
Wagner