July 22, 2011

After following up an impressive dual season with its best NCAA finish in 14 years, the Boston University wrestling team has earned the No. 8 spot on The Terrier Twelve.

Junior John Hall - the CAA champion at 197 pounds - joined sophomore Hunter Meys (174) and junior Fred Santaite (133) at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia and the trio combined for five wins at nationals to help the Terriers place 42nd.

During the regular season, the Terriers turned in an impressive record of 11-6-1. The team strung together eight straight dual wins towards the end of the season to secure the program's best record since 2003-04 (15-3).

Senior Brock Mantella (184) fell just short of qualifying for the NCAAs and tied Meys for the team lead in wins on the year with 26. At 149, sophomore Nestor Taffur finished third among the Terriers with 24 victories.

Freshmen Kevin Innis (285), Bubba McGinley (125) and Nick Tourville (157) all made immediate impacts and combined for 48 wins on the season.

The future is bright for the program, as Hall, Meys and Santaite - all two-time NCAA qualifiers - are set to return in 2011-12 in addition to six other starters.