March 2, 2001

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The seeds for the 26th Annual Eastern Wrestling League Tournament were determined Friday night by the eight head coaches in the seeding meeting and Virginia Tech's Sean Gray is the lone Hokie to get a top seed.

At 125 pounds, Mike Mercado will make his season debut against second-seeded Rocco Mansueto of Cleveland State. At 133 pounds, Jeremy Gaysek will take on second-seeded Scott Bair of Lock Haven. Gray, ranked fourth in the nation, will take on Adam Castner of Bloomsburg at 141 and Brent Rider will take on top-seeded JaMarr Billman of Lock Haven at 149 pounds. Brian Wilson will face No. 2-seeded Ed Hockenberry of Bloomsburg at 157 pounds.

Chris Martin, ranked fourth in the nation, got the second seed at 165 pounds and will face Orlando Ricci of West Virginia in his opener. At 174 pounds, Eric Hall, ranked seventh in the nation, received a No. 2 seed and will take on Rob Black of Pittsburgh in the opening round. Scott Justus is the fourth seed at 184 pounds and will take on Chad Eckert of Bloomsburg while Wes Cummings will face third-seeded Eric Mausser of Clarion. At heavyweight, Damian Hamlin will face third-seeded Josh Pearce of Edinboro.

The first round of the Tournament begins Saturday at 11 a.m., in Cassell Coliseum. For ticket prices, directions and updated scores and brackets, go to the official website of the EWL Tournament.