Tag: Big Ten Wrestling

Rutgers Wrestling will face Minnesota and Purdue in Big Ten Crossovers

Big Ten Wrestling confirmed crossover matchups for Rutgers on Monday, with the Scarlet Knights hosting Minnesota and traveling to Purdue.

Big Ten Wrestling confirmed crossover matchups for Rutgers wrestling on Monday, with the Scarlet Knights hosting Minnesota and traveling to Purdue. Rutgers will host the Golden Gophers at Jersey Mikes Arena and travel to take on the Boilermakers, with the dates coming later.

Rutgers head coach Scott Goodale confirmed the announcement on his Twitter account.

Minnesota finished the season with a 12-3 (5-3 Big Ten) record in 2022-23, finishing No. 5 in the Big Ten Conference standings. Heading into this upcoming season, the Golden Gophers are ranked No. 4 in the 2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Rankings, according to Flowrestling. Minnesota has four 2024 recruits committed to their program, one ranking in the top-25 and three in the top 100.

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On the other hand, the Boilermakers finished the 2022-23 season with a 4-11 (0-8 Big Ten) record, finishing last in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue is ranked No. 18 in the 2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Rankings, according to Flowrestling. The Boilermakers have two commitments to their 2024 recruiting class, ranking in the top 100.

In 2022-23, the Scarlet Knights finished the season with a 10-7 (2-6 Big Ten), finishing No. 11 in the Big Ten Conference. Rutgers wrestling received four commitments for their 2024 class, ranking No. 10 in the 2024 NCAA Recruiting Class Rankings. Goodale received a commitment from one 2024 prospect ranked in the top-25 and three recruits ranked in the top 100, a positive sign heading into the 2023-24 season.

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3-points takedown college wrestling rule change ignites social media

Takedowns in college wrestling are now worth 3 points instead of 2. Twitter reacted to this massive change in the sport.

It’s late in the match. The score is deadlocked 1-1 between two fantastic grapplers. Neither is giving the other an inch or an in. This is high-level collegiate wrestling.

Suddenly, late in the third period, the hometown wrestler swoops in for a single leg. After a long struggle, he finally gets the better of his opponent. The jubilated crowd becomes unglued and responds with a roar, “THREE!”

Sounds a little bit weird doesn’t it?

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel oversaw a massive change to the sport this past week. Takedowns will now be worth three points instead of the traditional two points. The Panel explained in the official release that the new rules will reward offensive actions and help eliminate a lot of the passive stalling we see today.

Members of the Wrestling Rules Committee, which proposed the change, agreed that increasing the scoring for takedowns by an additional point will enhance the sport by rewarding offensive actions and risk-taking.

The committee also agreed there was a need to create a more appropriate point differential between takedowns and escapes and incentivize offense when competitors are in the neutral position. – NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel, NCAA.com.

The explanation does make sense. A lot of times in big matches you will see both sides pretty much come to a stalemate, neither side wanting to potentially give the other an opening. While some see this as the true strategy and mental game behind wrestling, other observers will criticize the lack of any action. If one wrestler deliberately doesn’t do much of anything, that’s stalling. However, if both competitors do, well, that’s strategic!

As you would expect, this new rule change caused ripples throughout the collegiate wrestling community. As expected, fans are extremely split on the decision and voiced their opinions on social media. Here are the best reactions to a massive change in college wrestling.

Conner Harer cites special bond with Scott Goodale in his Rutgers wrestling commitment: ‘Can’t wait to win a national title with him in my corner’

Rutgers wrestling formed a strong relationship in landing Conner Carer.

A major part of Conner Harer picking Rutgers wrestling among a list of the sports blue blood programs comes from the connection the recruit formed with Scott Goodale. It was a special connection that Harer, one of the top recruits in the nation, said helped sell him on the Scarlet Knights.

A class of 2024 recruit, Harer had a 133-5 record during three seasons at Montgomery High School (Montgomery, PA). Last season, he wrestled at 152 pounds and finished first in the state.

At the time of his decision for Rutgers, he held offers from Bucknell, George Mason, Indiana, Lehigh, Michigan, Notre Dame, North Carolina, North Carolina State, UPenn, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Princeton, Stanford, Virginia and Virginia Tech among others.

“Coach Goodale is hands down the most down-to-earth coach I know at the highest level,” Harer told Rutgers Wire last week.

“His energy is unmatched and he will do anything for his wrestlers. He ensures everyone is family and wants the best for everyone. One thing though, that I like most about coach is his understanding of life. As a Division 1 athlete, there’s a lot of pressure and anxiety that goes on, starting with keeping good grades to performing on the mat. He knows that some people may struggle mentally and physically and sometimes just can’t adapt to it, but reminds them that there is more to life than wrestling.

“Having someone who cares about you like family in your corner, makes it even better compete for. Knowing that I’m going to war out there and he has my back allows me to be freer and have fun. He has all the characteristics of a great coach and more. Can’t wait to win a national title with him in my corner.”

The landing of Harer is a significant recruiting battle for Goodale, landing him a wrestler who legitimately projects as an All-American caliber prospect. Goodale deserves credit for his recruitment and being able to land such a coveted recruit.

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Harer said that relationships mattered in his committing to the Scarlet Knights.

“I was greeted and treated like family in every aspect. The coaches are awesome and have plenty of ability to help me reach my goals. The team itself has one key fundamental that no other college had, and that’s family. They all get along and treat everyone the same. Everyone is like-minded and wants to reach/surpass every goal in place,” Harer said.

“In college to be a national champ you have to eat, sleep, and breathe wrestling, and the guys on the team really bring out the true components of a champion. Being a great wrestler is one thing, but being a great person is another, and every coach and athlete on the team fulfills that category. I’m excited for the future and ready to make some noise! Pennsylvania is about to bring some hardware into Jersey!”

 

Carver Takedown Part Two: Iowa Wrestling sells out season tickets for second straight year

Hawkeye fans are unmatched nationally. For the second consecutive year, Iowa wrestling season tickets at Carver-Hawkeye Arena are sold out.

For the second straight year, Iowa wrestling will compete in front of a fully packed house.

The University of Iowa athletics department announced Wednesday that season tickets for the 2022-23 Hawkeye wrestling season are sold out for a second consecutive season.

The Hawkeyes set an NCAA wrestling attendance record in 2021-22, averaging 14,905 fans. The capacity for Carver-Hawkeye Arena this year is, you guessed it, 14,905.

For all of the national attention and headlines that the football and basketball teams of Iowa receive, wrestling truly is the embodiment of the University of Iowa. Iowans live and breathe the sport of wrestling, its tough nature the personification of the Hawkeye state.

The Hawkeyes are tied with the history and legacy of college wrestling as much as any other University. Iowa ranks second all time in collegiate wrestling national championships with 24. Oklahoma State leads with 34 national titles, but the Cowboys have been crowned just seven times since 1975 when Iowa won their first.

Wrestling legend Dan Gable helped establish a dominant grappling culture in the Hawkeye State. First winning two national championships for Iowa State, losing only once in his career, Gable won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He would lead Iowa to 21 Big Ten championships, and 15 national championships.

Current coach Tom Brands has kept Iowa as a top wrestling school despite Penn State‘s dominance in the current Cael Sanderson era, managing to win six Big Ten championships. His fourth national championship came in 2021.

The Hawkeyes finished third in both the Big Ten championship and NCAA championship this past season, and will once again look to win it all. They return a stacked roster that features three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee, as well as five other returning All-Americans.

They open up their season on Nov. 13 against the California Baptist Lancers.

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Big Ten Network announces men’s wrestling broadcast schedule

The Big Ten Network announces their men’s wrestling schedule.

The Big Ten Network announced its national broadcast schedule for men’s wrestling. The Big Ten is the powerhouse conference of NCAA wrestling.

In their preseason poll, seven Big Ten programs were in the top 10 of the final InterMat rankings. No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Iowa and No. 4 Ohio State led the way. A total of 11 Big Ten programs check in the top 30 in the preseason rankings.

Here is the complete national broadcast schedule for the Big Ten Network’s coverage of men’s wrestling:

Day

Date

Visiting Team

Home Team

Time (ET)

Sunday

December 4, 2022

Iowa State

at

Iowa

2:30 PM

Friday

January 6, 2023

Ohio State

at

Indiana

7:00 PM

Friday

January 6, 2023

Penn State

at

Wisconsin

9:00 PM

Sunday

January 8, 2023

Iowa

at

Purdue

2:00 PM

Sunday

January 8, 2023

Wisconsin

at

Illinois

4:00 PM

Friday

January 13, 2023

Minnesota

at

Nebraska

9:00 PM

Sunday

January 15, 2023

Michigan State

at

Minnesota

8:00 PM

Friday

January 20, 2023

Michigan

at

Penn State

7:00 PM

Friday

January 20, 2023

Nebraska

at

Iowa

9:00 PM

Sunday

January 22, 2023

Iowa

at

Wisconsin

2, 3 or 4 PM

Friday

January 27, 2023

Ohio State

at

Michigan

6:00 PM

Friday

January 27, 2023

Iowa

at

Penn State

8:30 PM

Saturday

January 28, 2023

Illinois

at

Minnesota

2:00 PM

Sunday

January 29, 2023

Northwestern

at

Rutgers

4:00 PM

Friday

February 3, 2023

Penn State

at

Ohio State

7:00 PM

Friday

February 3, 2023

Iowa

at

Minnesota

9:00 PM

Saturday

February 4, 2023

Rutgers

at

Maryland

2:00 PM

Sunday

February 5, 2023

Illinois

at

Michigan State

2:00 PM

Friday

February 10, 2023

Nebraska

at

Ohio State

7:00 PM

Friday

February 10, 2023

Michigan

at

Iowa

9:00 PM

Saturday

February 11, 2023

Minnesota

at

Wisconsin

2:00 PM

Sunday

February 12, 2023

Northwestern

at

Purdue

12:00 PM

Sunday

February 19, 2023

Arizona State

at

Nebraska

2:30 PM

Sunday

February 19, 2023

Oklahoma State

at

Iowa

4:30 PM

Saturday

March 4, 2023

Session #1

at

Michigan

10:00 AM

Saturday

March 4, 2023

Semifinals

at

Michigan

7:30 PM

Sunday

March 5, 2023

Championships

at

Michigan

4:30 PM

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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

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.”

WATCH: Kollin Moore records first Buckeye pin in Covelli Center

Kollin Moore pins Matt Wroblewski in the Big Ten dual match on Monday. Watch video of Kollin Moore’s pin.

It took a few months and half a dozen dual matches, but Kollin Moore became the first Buckeye to record a pin in the brand-new Covelli Center during Ohio State’s dominant win over Illinois on Sunday.

The Buckeyes have recorded plenty of wins in the Covelli Center this year. Wrestlers have won plenty of tight matches and earned plenty of bonus points, but no Buckeye had yet to record a pin. There were other pins, though, most notably Sammy Sasso’s upset loss to Brent Moore in the dual match against Virginia Tech.

The Buckeyes look very solid, with national contenders at multiple weight classes–led by Moore and Luke Pletcher. The Buckeyes definitely need work in some weight classes, like 125 pounds and 184 pounds, before they can really be considered national title contenders, especially with the deep lineups that Iowa and Penn State have. The Buckeyes will travel to Iowa City to face the dominant Hawkeyes this Friday evening. We’ll get a good gauge of how close Ohio State is to the national elite during that dual.

Watch Moore’s full match against Matt Wroblewski of Illinois and the pin(pin starts at about 5:30):
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