Nov. 3, 2009

RICHMOND, Va. - The Colonial Athletic Association announced today its 25th Anniversary Team for wrestling, which includes two Patriot wrestling legends in John Curtis and Matt Finacchio. The two wrestlers boast a total of three All-America selections, five NCAA Tournament berths and four conference championships.

Curtis, a 1993 graduate of George Mason University, captured back-to-back CAA Championships at 190 pounds during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. The Fairfax, Va. native was named the CAA Wrestler of the Year both of those seasons. Curtis was a three-time NCAA qualifier for the Patriots, earning All-America honors twice. He finished his career at Mason with a 113-28-0 record, which ranks third all-time in school history. George Mason captured the team title during his junior year of 1992. After graduating, Curtis went on to serve as an assistant coach for the George Mason wrestling team.

Finacchio wrestled for two years at George Mason and won the CAA Championship both of those seasons. In 1994, he won the 118-pound title and in 1995 he won the 126-pound title. A member of George Mason's 1995 CAA Championship team, Finacchio qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1994 and 1995. The West Point, Pa. native earned All-America honors during the 1995 season.

As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The teams are selected by a panel of current and former coaches in the conference.

Wrestling began as a conference sport in the CAA with seven teams in 1991-92. Membership varied with nine different schools competing in the league during the first decade. In 2001-02, the CAA merged with the East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA), increasing membership to 12 schools. Currently, eight teams compete for the CAA championship.

Hofstra has captured all eight CAA wrestling championships since joining the conference in 2001-02. George Mason has won five CAA titles (1992, 1995-97, 2001), and James Madison (1999, 2000) and Virginia Tech (1993, 1998) have claimed a pair of championships. Old Dominion won the CAA championship in 1994.

Members of the CAA Silver Anniversary team for wrestling are: Mike Coyle (James Madison), John Curtis (George Mason), Jason DeBruin (Hofstra), Josh Feldman (Virginia Tech), Matt Finacchio (George Mason), Don Fisch (Rider), Sean Gray (Virginia Tech), Charles Griffin (Hofstra), Nick Hall (Old Dominion), Ryan Hluschak (Drexel), Chris Martin (Virginia Tech), Jon Masa (Hofstra), James Nicholson (Old Dominion), Michael Patrovich (Hofstra), Josh Patterson (Binghamton), Rob Rebmann (Drexel), Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra), Jeff Rusak (Old Dominion), Chris Skretkowicz (Hofstra), Jody Staylor (Old Dominion), James Strouse (Hofstra), Doug Umbehauer (Rider), Chris Weidman (Hofstra), Ryan Williams (Old Dominion) and Payam Zarrinpour (Sacred Heart).