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Lehigh returns to the mats for the first time in nearly two weeks Friday night as the Mountain Hawks welcome the 16th-ranked Hofstra Pride to Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall for the 2008 Sheridan Dual. The annual dual honors longtime wrestling coach Billy Sheridan, who put Lehigh wrestling on the national map in his 40 years as head coach on South Mountain. The Mountain Hawks posted a 6-2 dual mark last month, and begin the five-dual stretch run with a chance to even their dual record with a victory on Friday night. Hofstra is looking to bounce back from a loss to Cornell last weekend, and features a strong team with five nationally ranked individuals.

Friday night’s dual marks the fourth consecutive season that Lehigh’s legendary former coach, Billy Sheridan, is honored with a single dual meet against a major out-of-conference opponent. From 2000-2003 Lehigh hosted the Sheridan Duals, a series of duals in which the Mountain Hawks faced three opponents on the first or second Saturday in December at Stabler Arena. Before that, Lehigh hosted the Sheridan Tournament, which began in 1979. Last year, Lehigh lost to No. 19 Nebraska 27-15, while the Mountain Hawks last Sheridan Dual win was a 29-7 triumph over Arizona State in November, 2005.

Tickets for Friday night’s match are going fast.  Only a handful of lower level seats and less than 150 upper level tickets remain for the match. Students, faculty and staff may pick up one free ticket with a Lehigh ID at the Grace Hall Ticket Office any day this week between 10 a.m. and 4p.m. (while supplies last). 

After being shut out of the national rankings since the start of the New Year, Lehigh freshman Alex Caruso made his debut in InterMat’s rankings last week, coming in at No. 20 at 174. Caruso ranks among the team leaders with a 16-9 record, and is fourth in dual points scored with 45. The Mountain Hawks have no individuals ranked in W.I.N. Magazine’s latest rankings, but sophomore Seth Ciasulli recently entered the Amateur Wrestling News poll at No. 19 at 133.

Hofstra has been just as busy as Lehigh this season, as the Pride have already wrestled 18 dual meets, and have also competed in the Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle. The Pride are 11-7 overall and recently had their six dual winning streak end with a 28-14 loss at Cornell last Saturday. Hofstra finished seventh at last year’s NCAA Championships, the best finish for an eastern school. This year, Hofstra has five nationally ranked individuals, led by All-American Charles Griffin (141) and sophomore Lou Ruggirello, who was ranked No. 1 at 133 earlier this season.

Lehigh and Hofstra are meeting for the eleventh straight season and 13th time overall tonight. The Mountain Hawks hold a 9-3 edge in the series, but Hofstra has won two of the last three duals. Greg Strobel is 7-3 versus the Pride, while Hofstra has won just once in six trips to Bethlehem. The Pride won 30-6 in last year’s meeting at the New York Athletic Club.

Friday’s dual gets underway at 7 p.m. from Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610-7LU-GAME or by visiting the Lehigh ticket office, located in Grace Hall.