Broncs 2nd in CAA Preseason Rankings
10 Individuals Ranked

The Rider University wrestling team is ranked second in the Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Rankings and all ten Bronc projected starters are ranked among the top six in their respective weight classes.

“We are cautiously optimistic about being ranked preseason number two in the CAA,” said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. “The good news is that we have 10 wrestlers ranked which demonstrates good balance and that's what it takes to win a team championship.”

Nationally ranked Old Dominion is ranked first in the eight-team CAA, also with ten individuals ranked, while eight-time defending champion Hofstra is ranked third with seven individuals ranked.

Senior heavyweight Ed Bordas (Montgomery, N.Y./Valley Central) and senior 149 pounder Mike Kessler (Randallstown, Md./Owings Mills) are ranked first in their weight classes, while junior 141 Fred Rodgers (Perkiomenville, Pa./Boyertown) and sophomore 133 Jim Kirchner (Somerville, N.J./Somerville) are ranked second in their weight classes.

Bordas is a two-time CAA champion and two-time NCAA qualifier. Kessler is a three-time NCAA qualifier.

"Our team is led by our two senior captains who are also ranked first in the respective weight classes,” Taylor said. “We feel that these two young men have a great shot at winning the conference for us this year, but more importantly becoming All-Americans at the NCAAs this March. They both had a very good off-season of training and are ready to make a run in their senior years."

The CAA also announced the preseason All-Freshman Team, and Rider’s Ramon Santiago (Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville High) was named the top 149 pound freshman to begin the season.

“Ramon is very gifted and we feel a special student-athlete,” Taylor said. “He is among some very good freshmen in the CAA. This is a great start for him and should be a continued boost for his confidence.”

Santiago earned NHSCA All-America honors when he placed eighth at the High School Nationals at 152 pounds. A New Jersey State runner-up as a senior, Santiago was 41-1 last year and finished his scholastic career with a 130-21 record, three times winning the District Championship.

The Broncs begin the 2009-10 season November 8 at Lehigh.

Rider will host the CAA Championship March 5-6. “These preseason rankings will help our team become even more motivated to train harder to win a conference championship in our home gym in March,” Taylor said.

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