Shane Cartagena-Walsh shines, shows potential in No. 17 Rutgers wrestling defeat to No. 7 Virginia Tech
It’s hard to be positive after the Rutgers wrestling team lost its second straight dual, falling 26-11 to Virginia Tech on Friday night. But three Scarlet Knights (3-2, 0-0) in particular stole the show at the Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Three true freshmen competed in the dual against the Hokies (3-0, 0-0), the first time No. 17 Rutgers had three or more rookies start in a match since Jan. 26, 2020.
Freshman 125-pounder Ayden Smith, freshman 165-pounder Andrew Barbosa and freshman 157-pounder Conner Harer all suffered defeats against No. 7 Virginia Tech but wrestled hard against tough, ranked opponents.
Here's a rundown of some storylines from the defeat.
Dylan Shawver
It’s no surprise that No. 6 senior 133-pounder Dylan Shawver is 5-0 this season. After winning the program’s first Big Ten title since 2019 and earning All-American honors last season, Shawver has his eyes set on the crème de la crème: a national title.
Shawver landed a 19-3 win over Franky Medina, his second tech fall of the season. Shawver is the only Knight in the starting lineup who remains undefeated through five dual matches.
Shane Cartagena-Walsh
Head coach Scott Goodale has always had faith in sophomore 184-pounder Shane Cartagena-Walsh and knew he would be successful. Goodale hinted after the 23-14 defeat to NC State that Cartagena-Waslsh would get his chance in the lineup. That statement came to fruition just five days later.
Cartagena-Walsh got the starting nod over junior 184-pounder Brian Soldano. Simply put, Cartagena-Walsh took complete advantage of the opportunity, defeating All-American Thomas Stewart, Jr. 5-1, ranked No. 12 in the nation.
It’s unclear who will be the starter, but Cartagena-Walsh's dramatic ranked win will not be forgotten by Goodale and Co. come Midlands time at the end of December, which is when the starting role is expected to be decided.
Yaraslau Slavikouski
After falling to No. 4 Isaac Trumble last Sunday, No. 9 graduate student 285-pounder Yaraslau Slavikouski desperately needed a bounce-back win. Slavikouski got that desired victory against No. 16 Jimmy Mullen for his first-ranked win of the season.
Slavikouski – who has made it a goal to win a national title in his final season of collegiate wrestling – seems to be back on the right track after downing Mullen 4-1 in sudden victory.
The Knights will have some time off before they welcome Lock Haven to Jersey Mike’s Arena on Busch campus in their home opener on December 6. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
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