No. 13 Rutgers wrestling (2-0, 0-0) will open their 2023-24 home schedule on Friday as they host No. 8 Virginia Tech (1-1, 0-0). The out-of-conference dual will mark the third non-conference match in the early season, with the Scarlet Knights defeating Duke and Cal Poly last week.
The last time out, the Scarlet Knights delivered strong wins over Duke, 47-0, and Cal Poly, 31-10, to open the season. In their two-match sweep, the Scarlet Knights won 17 out of 20 matches on Friday (13 victories by bonus).
In the season opener, No. 6 Dean Peterson, No. 10 Brian Soldano (184), No. 16 Dylan Shawver (133), and No. 17 Mitch Moore (141) recorded falls in San Luis Obispo, California. Also, Moore, No. 6 Yaraslau Slavik (HWT), No. 25 Jacob Butler (149), Joe Fongaro (141), and Shane Cartagena-Walsh (174) delivered wins in their Rutgers debuts.
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Nov. 17. Blackout ⚫⚫
🎟️: https://t.co/QExrMF9dER#RelentlessPursuit | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/t59ZJLDTpa
— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) November 7, 2023
As for Virginia Tech, the Hokies opened their season against No. 6 Ohio State as the Buckeyes defeated Virginia Tech 24-12. In their second match of the season, Virginia Tech would bounce against American University, 39-4, to capture their first victory of the 2023-24 season.
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Virginia Tech sophomore No. 4 Caleb Henson is a wrestler to watch on VT’s roster in the 149-pound weight class. Henson was the 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year and the ACC Champion last season. Also, the Cartersville, Georgia, native placed 5th in the NCAA Tournament last season.