No. 15 Rutgers wrestling routs Duke, Franklin & Marshall to open 2024-2025 season
A highly-anticipated 2024-2025 season for the Rutgers wrestling team is off to a perfect start. On Saturday, the Scarlet Knights (2-0, 0-0) blew by Duke and Franklin & Marshall in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, putting up 87 points and winning 18 of their 20 bouts.
Here are five takeaways from No. 15 Rutgers’ two one-sided dual victories.
Dylan Shawver picks up where he left off
National title contender, All-American and reigning Big Ten champion senior 133-pounder Dylan Shawver started his season with a total of two pins against the Blue Devils (0-2, 0-0) and Diplomats (1-1, 0-0).
Joseph Oliveri is back
After redshirting last season, senior 141-pounder Joseph Oliveri is back in the lineup. He won both of his matches, defeating Christian Coleman of Duke by a 20-4 major decision and picking up a 10-8 win over Byrce Kresho.
Conner Harer is the real deal
Highly touted recruit freshman 157-pounder Conner Harer seems already to be the starter at 157 pounds for the Knights. He pinned Nick Tattini and earned a major decision win over Luke Bender, showcasing his dominance despite being a rookie.
What’s the deal at 165?
Last season, senior 165-pounder Anthony White was the starter at 165 pounds for Rutgers. Head coach Scott Goodale opted to go with junior 165-pounder Luke Gayer to open the season, but he lost both bouts.
With Gayer struggling to begin this season, White or freshman 157 and 165-pounder Andrew Barbosa should be the two contenders to start at 165 pounds.
Upperweights get the job done
Graduate student 174-pounder Jackson Turley, junior 184-pounder Brian Soldano, senior 197-pounder John Poznanski and graduate student 285-pounder Yaraslau Slavikouski all shined in their bouts.
The final four wrestlers of the Knights’ starting lineup all have NCAA experience and can defeat almost anyone, which will be a key factor in the program taking the next step, which Goodale has preached.
Rutgers will return to New Jersey for two neutral site duals against LIU and NC State in Toms River on November 17.
“Really proud of the way our guys wrestled today,” Goodale said. "It was the first time competing down to weight and we scored a lot of bonus points and wrestled hard in both duals. There's a lot of work to do. Looking forward to getting back to New Jersey and competing in what should be an awesome atmosphere next Sunday in Toms River."
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