Rider Set to Host 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Wrestling Championships

Rider University will be the site of the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association Wrestling Championships Friday-Saturday, March 4-5.

"It will be great to host the CAAs again," said Rider head coach Gary Taylor. "It's a good tournament to host. Our wrestlers will have more of their support groups in attendance. It's a little bit more relaxed at home, sleeping in your own bed."

Rider hosted the CAA's last year and placed third of eight teams. In 2009 Rider also placed third of eight teams at Old Dominion and in 2008 Rider placed third of nine teams at the CAAs, hosted by Hofstra.  The Broncs finished runner-up in 2005 and in 2004 when Rider served as host.

This year Rider has eight (of 10) wrestlers ranked among the top five in their respective weight classes in the CAA.

Seventeen wrestlers from the CAA Championships will advance to the NCAA Championships, held March 17-19 at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center, also hosted by Rider.

Three Broncs, sophomore 149 Zac Cibula, senior 174 Rob Morrison and sophomore 165 Jim Resnick, are ranked among the top 33 in the nation in their weight classes by the NCAA Wrestling Coaches Ranking Panel.

Rider and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference hosted the NCAA Tournament in Albany, NY in 2000 and partner again to host it in Philadelphia this year.  "I'm extremely excited to host the NCAA Division I National Championship for the second time," Taylor said. "What a true honor for a small, private university to be the host institution for the National Championships."