Complete Preseason RankingsSpringfield, Mass. - October 30, 2012 - The Springfield College wrestling team is ranked 22nd in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Preseason Poll, which was recently announced. Under second-year head coach Jason Holder, the Pride open the season this weekend at the Ithaca Invitational.
Springfield is the second-highest team from New England represented in the polls, just behind Wesleyan University who was ranked 20th.
As a team last season, the Pride won the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Duals Championship and took second at the NEWA Championship, losing to host Wesleyan by just a 1/2 point.
Individually, senior Joe Grippi is ranked third nationally at 141 pounds, while classmate Derrick Longo also earned a third-place ranking at 165 pounds.
Last season, both wrestlers finished the season with 33-4 records and earned All-America honors after competing on the national scene. Longo finished third at 165, while Grippi took home seventh-place honors at 133.
Jason Holder will enter his third season as head wrestling coach in 2013. Holder had a standout first season at the helm of the Pride, leading Springfield to the NEWA Duals Championship and taking three wrestlers to the NCAA Championships.
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