BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – Long Island University will begin a stretch of four home duals to close out its 2019-20 regular season on Friday, Jan. 31 when it hosts Columbia University in an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association match.
 
The Sharks and Lions will meet on the mat at 5:00 p.m. inside the Pratt Recreation Center. LIU is looking for its first EIWA victory of the season while the Lions will look to improve on its 2-1 mark in EIWA matches.
 
Eight Lions enter Friday's dual with 10 or more wins this season, including two grapplers in the national rankings. Joe Manchio is ranked in three national rankings at 125, sitting as high as No. 25 in the Flo Wrestling poll and earning a composite ranking of No. 28. At 141, Matt Kazimir is ranked in four polls, including a No. 17 ranking in the Amateur Wrestling News poll and a composite mark of No. 25.5.
 
Since falling in his debut against The Citadel, redshirt-sophomore Ryan Ferro is 2-0 in his last two matches, earning wins at the University of Pennsylvania and Hofstra University. Along with Ferro, several Sharks are on the cusp of breaking through on the mat, as sophomore James Langan came from behind to tie the bout at 6-6 before falling by a one-point margin due to a riding time point against the Pride last weekend. Freshman Michael Blando has also been impressive as of late, falling by four points at Hofstra and ranking third on the team with four dual wins this season.
 
Friday's match will have live results available through Track Wrestling. The match will also be streamed free of charge on NEC Front Row, a streaming service available online and on all streaming devices through the NEC on the Run application.