Category: Rutgers wrestling

Season Preview: 2022-2023 Rutgers Wrestling

The No. 21 ranked Scarlet Knights will kick off their 2022-2023 season Friday night, as they look to become a top-10 ranked DI wrestling program.

Rutgers wrestling will kick off their 2022-2023 schedule this weekend when they host Clarion tomorrow night. It is the start of what should be a tough season for Rutgers.

After their match on Friday, No. 21 Rutgers will head to Bethlehem, PA to face Sacred Heart and No. 6 Arizona State in the Journeymen’s WrangleMania. The match will take place on Saturday at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. No one is more excited than head coach Scott Goodale. Coach Goodale, coaching in his 16th season, is eager to get these matches underway, as this year’s team is talented in all ten weight classes.

Projected 2022-2023 Rutgers’ lineup:

Weight class 125: Dylan Shawver or Dean Peterson
Weight class 133: Joe Heilmann
Weight class 141: Sammy Alvarez or Joesph Olivieri
Weight class 149: Tony White
Weight class 157: Andrew Clark or Al DeSantis
Weight class 165: Connor O’Neill
Weight class 174: Jackson Turley
Weight class 184: John Poznaski or Biran Soldano
Weight class 197: Billy Janzer or Kyle Epperly
Weight class HWT: Boone McDermott

In recent years, the Rutgers wrestling program has been extremely talented but just can’t find a way to get over the hump.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve picked somebody off. I think it’s what this group is missing, we need a signature win,” Goodale said.

“We’re trying to get over the hump. To be sitting at No. 12, 14, in the country at the end of the year doesn’t sit right with our program, and that’s our mentality every single day.”

Rutgers is hungry and is on the verge of becoming a national powerhouse. Will this be the year that Rutgers gets over the hump?

It sure can be, especially since Rutgers added a few new faces from last year. The Scarlet Knights added true freshman, Brian Soldano at 184 pounds, out of High Point High School in New Jersey. While attending High Point, Soldano was a 3x NJSIAA State Champion. The Jersey-born freshman is excited to wrestle in front of his home crowd fans.  Soldano wasn’t the only new wrestler to join the squad this year, as a four-year graduate transfer, Joe Heilman, leaves North Carolina to come back home. The Jersey native from South Plainfield will wrestle at 133 pounds, moving junior Sammy Alvarez and sophomore Joseph Olivieri up to the 141-weight class. Heilman has some extra motivation this year since he gets to wrestle for his home state.

Rutgers will certainly have some opportunities to knock off ranked opponents, as they face four top 10 ranked teams in No. 1 Penn State, No. 4 Ohio State, No. 5 Michigan, and No. 6 Arizona State. Also on their schedule, is No. 11 Nebraska, No. 15 Michigan State, No. 20 Northwestern, No. 18 UPenn, and No. 22 Princeton. Coach Goodale and his Scarlet Knights will be put to the test this season. With their balanced line-up, let’s see if this determined Rutgers squad can finally get over the hump and crack the top-10 NCAA Division I rankings.

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Rutgers wrestling lands Oregon State transfer Mike Toranzo

Rutgers wrestling adds another impressive talent via the transfer portal.

Rutgers wrestling added another top-quality talent with Mike Toranzo transferring to the Big Ten program.

The former New Jersey standout joins Rutgers from Oregon State where he was a redshirt last season. In high school, he wrestled at St. Joseph’s Regional High School (Montvale, N.J.) where he went 33-1 as a senior and finished third in the state. He joins Rutgers at 197 pounds and is expected to challenge immediately for a prominent role within the program.

Last season, Rutgers went 16-5 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten, largely acclaimed as the top conference in the nation for wrestling. They finished the regular season at No. 30 nationally in the final InterMat rankings. Oregon State checked in at No. 24.

 

Earlier this week, Rutgers announced that they will participate in the Garden State Grapple. The event, in Early December, will once again take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

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Set to appear alongside Rutgers are some quality programs. Binghamton, Indiana, Michigan State, Princeton and Wisconsin have all been announced in participating at the Prudent Center event.

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Boom! Rutgers Wrestling lands nationally recruited talent in Max Hermes

Elite Ohio wrestler picks Rutgers wrestling.

Max Hermes has committed to Rutgers wrestling, the Ohio talent adding to what is a solid recruiting class so far for the Scarlet Knights.

Wrestling for Edison High School (Milan, OH), the class of 2023 recruit is one of the top wrestlers in a state that is deep and talented on the mat. At 119 pounds, he has compiled a lifetime 34-4 record.

In May at the 2022 USA Wrestling Central Regional Championships, he came in a strong fifth. He lost to Marcello Milani and Nick Treaster before beating Austin McBurney 8-2 on a decision.

He is a two-time state champion in Ohio.

Last season, Rutgers went 16-5 with a 3-5 mark in the Big Ten, the toughest wrestling conference in the nation.

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Three Big Ten programs finished the nation atop the final poll, led by Penn State. Five programs from the conference finished in the top 10.

Rutgers finished the season at No 26 in the NWCA Coaches Poll.

Scott Goodale says plan is for Kyonte Hamilton to wrestle after football: ‘He’s a special talent’

Rutgers wrestling coach Scott Goodale expects Kyonte Hamilton to wrestle this season.

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Kyonte Hamilton is starting to make an impact for Rutgers football in recent weeks. Wrestling head coach Scott Goodale is looking forward to getting the defensive lineman into his building when the football season is over.

A freshman, Hamilton committed to Rutgers out of Georgetown Prep in Maryland, a three-star football player who was also one of the top wrestlers in the region. Goodale will get his hands on the talented Hamilton soon enough when the football season is completed.

“I know he’s not available today, he’s practicing over at the football field,” Goodale said with a laugh this week while talking to reporters.

“The plan is for him to join us when the football season ends. We haven’t gotten off that path, talking with the football staff, that’s still the plan. Talking with Kyonte, that’s still the plan. Talking with his parents – they show up at every [Anthony] Ashnault tailgate, the parents show up every time – the plan is for him to wrestle.”

A true freshman, Hamilton has six tackles on the year for Rutgers. In the Scarlet Knights last game two weeks ago, a 21-7 loss at Northwestern, he recorded a career-high three tackles.

In high school, Hamilton won three Interstate Athletic Conference titles and was selected as the 2020 Metropolitan Wrestler of the Year by The Washington Post.

“I don’t bother him right now, he’s still in season. I know he’s getting a little more playing time each week, that’s great, good Kyonte,” Goodale said.

“He’s a special talent. When the season ends, probably give him a week off then get him back into the room. At least that’s the plan.”

The Big Ten has nine programs in latest InterMat rankings; Rutgers checks in at No. 14

Nine Big Ten wrestling programs are represented in the latest InterMat rankings.

Nine Big Ten teams rank in the latest InterMat NCAA Division I Rankings. Three Big Ten programs are in the poll’s top five and a total of five programs are among the top 10 in the poll.

The next closest conference in terms of representation is the Big 12 with five programs followed by the ACC with four teams in the poll.

The Big Ten is led by No. 1 Iowa, No. 2 Penn State and No. 5 Michigan. Ohio State (ninth) and Minnesota (tenth) round out the conference’s heavy representation in the poll’s top 10.

One to watch is No. 14 Rutgers features what head coach Scott Goodale says is the best program he’s had since joining Rutgers in 2007.

RANK SCHOOL CONFERENCE POINTS
1 Iowa Big Ten 117.5
2 Penn State Big Ten 98.5
3 Arizona State Pac-12 60.5
4 Oklahoma State Big 12 59.5
5 Michigan Big Ten 57.5
6 Missouri Big 12 48.5
7 Cornell EIWA 47
7 NC State ACC 47
9 Ohio State Big Ten 43
10 Minnesota Big Ten 41
11 Pittsburgh ACC 37
11 Virginia Tech ACC 37
13 Northwestern Big Ten 35
14 Rutgers Big Ten 32.5
15 Stanford Pac-12 32
16 Nebraska Big Ten 31.5
17 North Carolina ACC 31
18 Cal Poly Pac-12 24
19 Northern Iowa Big 12 23.5
20 Iowa State Big 12 23
21 Illinois Big Ten 22.5
21 Princeton EIWA 22.5
23 Wisconsin Big Ten 16
24 Lehigh EIWA 14
24 Wyoming Big 12 14

Big Ten Network releases wrestling broadcast schedule, Rutgers featured once

Rutgers wrestling will be featured once on the Big Ten Network this season.

On Thursday, the Big Ten Network announced their broadcast schedule for the upcoming men’s wrestling season. Given the strength of the conference in the sport, the on-air schedule features a powerhouse program nearly every broadcast.

The Big Ten Network will feature Rutgers on just one occasion for a national broadcast, on February 12 at the Rutgers Athletic Center when the Scarlet Knights host Maryland.

In their latest tournament rankings, InterMat has the Big Ten heavily represented. Three of the conference’s programs are ranked in the top five in the nation (No. 1 Iowa, No. 2 Penn State and No. 5 Michigan). Rutgers checks in at No. 14, one of nine Big Ten programs ranked in the top 25

2021-22 Wrestling Schedule

Day

Date

Visiting Team

Home Team

Time (ET)

Wednesday

November 17, 2021

North Carolina

at

Nebraska

9:00 PM

Saturday

November 20, 2021

Oklahoma State

at

Minnesota*

TBD

Friday

January 7, 2022

Minnesota

at

Iowa

9:00 PM

Sunday

January 9, 2022

Purdue

at

Iowa

TBD

Sunday

January 9, 2022

Indiana

at

Penn State*

TBD

Sunday

January 9, 2022

Northwestern

at

Minnesota*

TBD

Friday

January 14, 2022

Michigan

at

Ohio State

7:00 PM

Friday

January 14, 2022

Nebraska

at

Minnesota

9:00 PM

Sunday

January 16, 2022

Iowa

at

Illinois

TBD

Monday

January 17, 2022

Michigan State

at

Indiana

3:30 PM

Friday

January 21, 2022

Penn State

at

Michigan

6:00 PM

Friday

January 21, 2022

Iowa

at

Ohio State

8:00 PM

Sunday

January 23, 2022

Wisconsin

at

Purdue

4:00 PM

Friday

January 28, 2022

Minnesota

at

Michigan

7:00 PM

Friday

January 28, 2022

Penn State

at

Iowa

9:00 PM

Saturday

January 29, 2022

Purdue

at

Indiana

Noon

Saturday

January 29, 2022

Northwestern

at

Illinois

2:00 PM

Friday

February 4, 2022

Ohio State

at

Penn State

7:00 PM

Friday

February 4, 2022

Michigan

at

Nebraska

9:00 PM

Saturday

February 5, 2022

Wisconsin

at

Iowa

3:30 PM

Sunday

February 6, 2022

Nebraska

at

Penn State

Noon

Friday

February 11, 2022

Ohio State

at

Minnesota

9:00 PM

Saturday

February 12, 2022

Maryland

at

Rutgers

2:00 PM

Sunday

February 13, 2022

Illinois

at

Nebraska

Noon

Saturday

February 19, 2022

Purdue

at

Northwestern

1:30 PM

Sunday

February 20, 2022

Iowa

at

Nebraska

7:00 PM

Saturday

March 5, 2022

Session 1

B1G Championships

11:00 AM

Saturday

March 5, 2022

Semifinals

B1G Championships

8:30 PM

Sunday

March 6, 2022

Championships

B1G Championships

4:30 PM

Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale: ‘I think this could be our best team’

Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale believes his program is ready to take a step forward this year.

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Scott Goodale believes in his Rutgers wrestling program and that the program could be poised for their best season yet. And given the success of the Scarlet Knights in recent years on the mat, that’s saying something.

Rutgers comes into the season ranked as the No. 14 dual team in the nation by InterMat (and the No. 15 tournament team) with FloWrestling pegging Rutgers as No. 14 in the nation. Five wrestlers come into the season ranked with Sebastian Rivera (133/141) and John Poznanski (184) each earning consensus top-five rankings.

So of course, it was understandable that the first question during Goodale’s media availability this week was if this was the best team he’s had since taking over Rutgers in 2007.

“I mean, on paper, right? On paper, we’ve always had some really good teams with some incredible credentials. And we actually started I think my second year we had the No. 3 recruiting class in the country, right? So, on paper, there’s always been some really good teams and I just think the reason why I think this could be our best team, is because there’s a lot of belief of what can happen at the National Tournament,” Goodale told reporters this week.

“It’s no longer ‘I want to make the National Tournament.’ It’s no longer ‘I hope to make the starting lineup….I want to have a really good season, I can’t wait to wrestle in front of the RAC crowd’… it’s not about that. It is about winning matches at the National Tournament and getting on the podium and placing as high as possible. That’s what it’s about from an individual standpoint with our guys, and then there’s a lot more focus on the team. What can we do for this program? So that’s maybe my reason for the optimism. And I’ve seen them train all summer long, so it’s kind of why I feel that way.”

Rutgers opens the season with a home quad that features Binghamton, Cleveland State and New Jersey City University. The quad will be held at the Rutgers Athletic Center on Nov. 7.

Rutgers doing well with elite national wrestling recruit Jimmy Mullen

Rutgers wrestling has done a good job in the recruitment of national caliber wrestler Jimmy Mullen.

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Last week, Rutgers wrestling got a commitment from senior P.J. Casale, one of the top wrestlers in the nation. The Scarlet Knights are also doing well with in-state Jimmy Mullen, another top wrestler. The St. Joseph (Montvale) star is a member of the class of 2023.

The addition of Casale, who won the 220-pound weight class as a sophomore with Delbarton, is a boost not just for the Rutgers squad but also in the program’s recruitment of Mullen. Casale and Mullen are considered close friends and the duo opted to wrestle at a national tournament this past spring than in the state tournament.

Mullen was the state’s heavyweight champion in 2020, earning first-team all-county and all-league honors in the process.

His friend’s commitment to the Big Ten wrestling program had an impression on Mullen.

“Definitely, it makes them a stronger team,” Mullen told ‘Rutgers Wire.’

“The best kids in Jersey are staying home; me and P.J. have been close since we were little kids. Neither one of us would have skipped states last year and [gone] to world team trials if the other didn’t also.”

At the Cadet World Team Trials in Wisconsin this past April, Mullen wrestled at 110 kg and made the United States team, going 10-0 in the process.

Due to his football commitments (Mullen is also a three-star defensive end who is being recruited by some schools for both football and wrestling), recruiting has been a bit slow. He recently took an official visit to North Carolina “and that was an amazing place” he said.

Taking visits is a challenge given his football schedule, which sees him playing on most Saturdays. But a number of top national programs are after the talented (and out-going) Mullen and making a push for him.

“The hardest, I would say in wrestling are North Carolina, Michigan, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Arizona State, Virginia Tech,” Mullen said.

“In football: West Virginia, Cincinnati, Maryland, Temple, UConn, and Pitt.”

P.J. Casale weighs in on choosing Rutgers wrestling

Rutgers wrestling’s newest verbal commit, P.J. Casale, opens up on why he chose the Scarlet Knights.

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P.J. Casale committed to Rutgers wrestling on Tuesday, giving the 2022 recruiting class a big talent capable.

The Delbarton wrestler, who committed to Lehigh in the summer and then opened up his recruitment, appears all-in on Rutgers and head coach Scott Goodale. The Scarlet Knights, ranked No. 15 in the nation by InterMat, have told Casale that he will wrestle either at 197-pounds or as a heavyweight.

He discussed why Rutgers was the right program and the reason why he chose the Scarlet Knights.

“Staying home is such an important aspect of my life. I love my family and friends and I really love New Jersey,” Casale told ‘Rutgers Wire’ on Thursday.

“Coach Goodale and the staff are amazing people who honestly would just love to see me succeed!”

As a sophomore, Casale won a state title at 220-pounds. He did not compete in the state tournament this past year, opting instead to wrestle at a national competition.

The reason for choosing Rutgers over the host of other top programs in on his recruitment was simple.

“It’s close to home and I cannot wait to perform at the RAC,” Casale said. “A lot of energy and a lot of Jersey fans!”

At Delbarton, he is a starting middle linebacker. He said he does not plan on playing football in college.

But he has been talking with class of 2023 heavyweight Jimmy Mullen of St. Joseph’s (Montvale), one of the most coveted wrestlers in the country. Mullen is being recruited by Rutgers for both football and wrestling.

“Right now just trying to get these guys to stay home; [to] stay in New Jersey,” Casale said. “I’ll be in Jimmy’s ear everyday!”

Rutgers wrestling adds nationally ranked, powerhouse in P.J. Casale

Rutgers wrestling got a huge commitment on Tuesday from P.J. Casale.

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Rutgers wrestling got a big addition on Tuesday afternoon with the long-awaited commitment of P.J. Casale.

Set for his senior year at New Jersey powerhouse program Delbarton, Casale de-committed from Lehigh this past July. He becomes a huge addition to this upcoming recruiting class for Rutgers.

Casale made the announcement on Tuesday via social media. Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale teased the verbal commitment earlier in the day.

As a sophomore, he won the New Jersey 220-pound weight class. He did not compete last spring in the state tournament, opting instead to enter a national tournament.

 

Rutgers comes into this season at No. 15 in the nation. Seven Big Ten teams are ranked above Rutgers currently proving the conference as the dominant force in college wrestling.

The Big Ten is led by No. 1 Iowa and No. 2 Penn State. Coming up behind them is No. 5 Michigan.

In mid-August, Rutgers landed a surprising commitment from two-time New Jersey state champion Dean Peterson, who left Princeton over the summer and quickly joined the Scarlet Knights.