No. 15 Rutgers wrestling opens the season with wins over Duke and Cal Poly

On Friday, No. 15 Rutgers wrestling (2-0, 0-0) delivered strong wins over Duke, 47-0, and RV Cal Poly, 31-10, to open the season. 

On Friday, No. 15 Rutgers wrestling (2-0) 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 their first dual, the Scarlet Knights swept the Blue Devils. Rutgers 125-pounder No. 6 Dean Peterson set the tone for the Scarlet Knights, defeating Duke Logan Agin by fall, giving Rutgers an early 6-0 lead. In all weight classes, Rutgers delivered convincing victories, leaving no doubt.

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Along with 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.

 

In their second dual against Cal Poly, who received votes in this week’s initial NWCA Coaches Poll, the Scarlet Knights opened the match with three consecutive wins. The Mustangs fought back with wins at 149 and 157 pounds, bringing Cal Poly within five. Rutgers No. 24 165 pounds Anthony White flipped the script for the Scarlet Knights, defeating Cal Poly Michael Goldfeder by technical fall, giving Rutgers a 17-7 lead.

After White’s victory, the Scarlet Knights won the next 3 of 4 matches to secure their victory. Rutgers No. 10 Brian Soldano (184), John Poznanski, and No. 6 Yaraslau Slavik (HWT) produced victories against their opponents to give Rutgers wrestling their second victory.

The Scarlet Knights are back in action to open its 2023-24 home schedule on Friday, November 17, against No. 4 Virginia Tech.

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