FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 31, 2005

Seven Rhode Island College Wrestlers Named Pilgrim Wrestling League All-Stars

Providence, RI—Seven Rhode Island College wrestlers were named Pilgrim Wrestling League All-Stars.

Senior Justin Deveau (North Attleboro, MA) was named a First Team All-Star. In 2004-05, Deveau earned All-New England honors, placing second at 197 lbs at the NECCWA Championships. He was 32-7 at 197 lbs. with 128 points, 51 takedowns, nine reversals, 26 escapes, 12 near-falls and six pins on the season. He placed third at 285 lbs. at the RWU Invitational on Nov. 13 and second at the Citrus Invitational on Dec. 29.

Senior Luke Emmons (West Greenwich, RI) was named a First Team All-Star. In 2004-05, Emmons earned All-New England honors, placing second at 141 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships. He was 28-7 at 141 lbs. with 103 points, 51 takedowns, 16 reversals, five near-falls and five pins on the season. Emmons placed second at 141 lbs. at the Roger Williams Invitational on Nov. 13 and at the R.I.T. Invitational on Dec. 4. He placed fourth at 141 lbs. at the Citrus Invitational on Dec. 29.

Junior Arty Privedenyuk (Springfield, MA) was named a First Team All-Star. In 2004-05, Privedenyuk earned All-New England honors, placing fifth at 165 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships.  He was 26-15 at 165 lbs. with 115 points, 34 takedowns, 25 reversals, 25 near-falls and ten pins on the season. He placed third at the Roger Williams Invitational on Nov. 13, fourth at the Doug Parker Invitational on Nov. 20 and sixth at the R.I.T. Invitational on Dec. 4 at 165 lbs.

Senior Keith Nelson (Rhinebeck, NY) was named a Second Team All-Star and was selected to the Pilgrim League’s Scholar-Athlete All-Star Team. In 2004-05, Nelson earned All-New England honors, placing third at 174 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships. He was 34-10 at 174 lbs. with 136 points, 67 takedowns, seven reversals, 16 near-falls and six pins on the season. He placed second at the RWU Invitational on Nov. 13, third at the Doug Parker Invitational on Nov. 20 and fifth at the R.I.T. Invitational on Dec. 4 in the 174 lbs. weight class. Nelson took home third place at 174 lbs. at the Citrus Invitational on Dec. 29. Nelson was named a Scholar All-American by the NCAA Div. III Wrestling Coaches Association.

Senior Dave Paquette (Ledyard, CT) was named a Second Team All-Star and was selected to the Pilgrim League’s Scholar-Athlete All-Star Team. In 2004-05, Paquette earned All-New England honors, placing sixth at 157 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships. He was 21-13 at 157 lbs. with 79 points, 63 takedowns, 14 reversals, seven near-falls and one pin on the season. He placed sixth at 157 lbs. at the Doug Parker Invitational on Nov. 20. Paquette placed fifth at 157 lbs. at the Citrus Invitational on Dec. 29. Paquette was named a Scholar All-American by the NCAA Div. III Wrestling Coaches Association.

Freshman Rob LeRoux (Fall River, MA) was named a Second Team All-Star. In 2004-05, LeRoux earned All-New England honors, placing second at 133 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships. He went 9-3 at 133 lbs. with 33 points, 28 takedowns, one reversal and one near-fall on the season.

Sophomore Ray Hanley (Wantagh, NY) was an Honorable Mention to the Pilgrim Wrestling League All-Star Team. In 2004-05, Hanley was 20-12 at 125 lbs. with 95 points, 19 takedowns, 13 reversals, 18 near-falls and seven pins on the season.

Head Coach Jay Jones’ team closed out the 2004-05 season at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championships, hosted by Johnson & Wales University on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 19-20. The Anchormen took home third place with 87 points. It was the highest finish for the RIC grapplers since the 1992-93 squad also placed third. RIC had seven wrestlers attain All-New England status.

The Rhode Island College wrestling team posted a 16-3 overall record and was 11-1 in the NECCWA. RIC was denied its third consecutive Pilgrim Wrestling League title, recording a record of 5-1 against Pilgrim League competition. This season marked RIC’s first loss versus Pilgrim League competition since the 2001-02 campaign.

In addition, RIC recorded its second straight season with 16 regular season victories.

-end-