Wrestling Season Preview Article

obrats_rivals

All-Conference
Mar 28, 2013
1,964
1,080
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Great read, probably the best lineup Ru has had in years, adding depth at weights. Still not there with the rest of the Big 10 big guys but you can tell this staff and the kids are doing all they can. With better facilities and the wrestling communities support this program is only going to get better. Can't wait for the season, I will be at every home match (and some road), hope others will be also.
 

RUawake

Redshirt
Oct 16, 2005
317
2
0
With no Wesley Bernard at HVY, we must be recruiting a heavy this year, right? Normandia can't be whom Goodale is grooming to replace Smith. Correnti as a frosh--is he projected as a 285 lber? Any insight as to possible recruiting targets for 285?
 

Ole Cabbagehead

All-American
Apr 21, 2011
8,075
6,323
0
Out of state targets? I don't think there are any top 285lber seniors in NJ, are there?

The staff said they are looking anywhere and everywhere for an elite heavyweight recruit, but so far nothing had come through. It is one of the hardest spots to recruit. I think at this point it would be fair to say they are getting a bit desperate.
 

RUawake

Redshirt
Oct 16, 2005
317
2
0
Matt Correnti is the 10th ranked 220 pounder in the country according to the most recent Flo Wrestling rankings. Put another 20-30 pounds on him and he could be something special.

http://www.flowrestling.org/rankings/high-school/weight/220
Could be, but a 220 lber may need some time to put on quality weight to be competitive, especially in the B1G. I'd love to nab Rivera out of Brick, however. Maybe Goodale can lure a transfer or a juco for next year to add some depth to the team until one of the underclassmen heavyweights can arrive.
 

Jersey Boys

All-Conference
Oct 8, 2007
5,356
4,994
113
Spoiled at 285? Goodale hasn't produced an All-American HVY yet, even with D.J. Russo's #4 seed at the 2011 tournament. Not trolling, but I don't feel spoiled.

The team has a total of 5 All-Americans since 1980. Russo and Smith were national qualifiers in multiple seasons. With our history I think that is damn good.

While I agree that "spoiled" may be a bit much, some of you guys really have silly expectations. While I think this program has huge potential and we need to start thinking bigger than we have in the past, these comments seem off base.

DJ and Smith are the best back to back HWT's this program has had in recent memory. For those nitpicking the comment, name me that last back to back national qualifiers we have had at HWT prior to Russo and Smith?
 
Apr 30, 2014
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Russo was a 3X NCAA qualifier and Smith is a 3X NQ, likely 4X. both are excellent HWT that will have anchored the line up for 8 years. That would leave many programs feeling spoiled.

sure, expectations are higher and will continue to climb, and thats great, but I see no reason to nitpick a nice compliment for those 2 guys.
 

IroniaHorse

Freshman
Dec 23, 2013
191
84
0

jerzey devil

Heisman
Aug 16, 2004
7,415
10,393
113
Not trying to nitpick or disparage anyone, as both have been very solid in their careers..But to say we were "spoiled" by having above average wrestlers at a weight is a word I would use to describe elite wrestlers...
 

RUawake

Redshirt
Oct 16, 2005
317
2
0
Grello and Donner diff wts. Grello should in the fold already, don't wanna miss on this kid-best wrestling ahead of him by far
Hope so. He seems really high on Rutgers from this article. What weights are Donner and Grello projected at in their senior years? 160 and 171, respectively?
 

RUawake

Redshirt
Oct 16, 2005
317
2
0
Russo was a 3X NCAA qualifier and Smith is a 3X NQ, likely 4X. both are excellent HWT that will have anchored the line up for 8 years. That would leave many programs feeling spoiled.

sure, expectations are higher and will continue to climb, and thats great, but I see no reason to nitpick a nice compliment for those 2 guys.
I agree. Both are fine wrestlers. Smith has performed to seed at nationals. Russo was an awesome duals presence, with several wins over top 10. But Philly in 2011 just killed me. I was there for the entire tourney and REALLY expected an All-American from that squad. We were loaded, but no AA. Just on that basis I took issue with the "spoiled" assessment. Compared to previous years at Rutgers, of course we have been treated to very good HVY competition, but compared to the elite EIWA and now B1G squads and expectations, 285 has not yielded the signature performance that I want to see
 

RU93

Junior
Aug 6, 2001
5,519
384
83
when you got a wrestler that can beat almost any opponent in their weight at any given day representing Rutgers, that to me is being spoiled. it is shame that russo didn't AA... i think smith will this time around.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Wrestle offs next Saturday 11 am at The Barn (Football plays Ohio St at 8pm) big day on the banks !

When will the wrestle off pairings be announced?

I think I read recently that Coach G said he wasn't a big fan of 'wrestle-offs', seems kind of strange him saying that when the program is hyping these wrestle offs, lol.
 
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Jersey Boys

All-Conference
Oct 8, 2007
5,356
4,994
113
Wrestle offs next Saturday 11 am at The Barn (Football plays Ohio St at 8pm) big day on the banks !

When will the wrestle off pairings be announced?

I think I read recently that Coach G said he wasn't a big fan of 'wrestle-offs', seems kind of strange him saying that when the program is hyping these wrestle offs, lol.

It's an honest answer and I know where he's coming from. Certain kids don't match up well against a teammate or have a style that can exploited by a guy who rolls with him daily. However, he may also be the better overall wrestler and provide more upside to the team.

1 match against a teammate in October shouldn't set a precedent if the coach knows one kid is the better option.
 

Jersey Boys

All-Conference
Oct 8, 2007
5,356
4,994
113
DJ didn't reach his potential on a national scale in terms of pure ability. Talent wise he was right there. Unfortunately, some guys don't necessarily perform as they should on a national scale. Guys like Ashnault don't grow on trees. Talent plus the makeup to excel emotionally on the big scale. All I can say about Russo (got to hang with him a bit at the EIWA's a few years ago) is that he seems like a great kid who was a net positive for the program.

Baby steps need to move to jogging to running. Some of us feel we should be progressing faster. Maybe they are right. But to deny that Russo or Smith were not great assets for this program (considering where we were 8 to 10 years ago) is being unreasonable.

Let's just all agree they were great guys to have and when Billy moves on he will be missed. Luckily he has one more year to show what he can do.

Looking forward to the season and can't wait for the first match to get here.
 

Leonard23

Heisman
Feb 2, 2006
30,336
12,588
113
Baby steps need to move to jogging to running. Some of us feel we should be progressing faster.
Based on what? Irrationalism? We need to fully fund OOS schollies, build a real wrestling room & bring in more elite SKWC wrestlers & coaches.
 

Jersey Boys

All-Conference
Oct 8, 2007
5,356
4,994
113
Based on what? Irrationalism? We need to fully fund OOS schollies, build a real wrestling room & bring in more elite SKWC wrestlers & coaches.

Relax Leonard. When I said "us" I was referring to others on this board. I think we are exactly where we should be.
 

wngarbarini

Heisman
May 4, 2006
10,981
11,413
113
I was and am close to DJ. He is one tremendous young man and is going to be a good executive. He went from being an ok wrestler to being an excellent heavyweight. Nerves got to him at his last nationals and cost him an AA. He admitted that to me during one of our talks. Smith is also a wonderful young man and smart as hell. Getting his master now and practice teaching at Franklin. He has the talent to AA.
 
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Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Bill, you going to the wrestle offs next Saturday morning? I'm trying to get my small crew to go to New Brunswick that early, but waiting around til the Football game at 8 makes it a loooong day, lol. Hope to make it though, any insights on the wrestle off pairings ?

I was and am close to DJ. He is one tremendous young man and is going to be a good executive. He went from being an ok wrestler to being an excellent heavyweight. Nerves got to him at his last nationals and cost him an AA. He admitted that to me during one of our talks. Smith is also a wonderful young man and smart as hell. Getting his master now and practice teaching at Franklin. He has the talent to AA.
 

obrats_rivals

All-Conference
Mar 28, 2013
1,964
1,080
0
On top of the wrestle-offs this weekend RU will also have many big recruits and it would be great for them to see a packed house for the wrestle-offs. Two that I know of (WNG may know more) are Grello and Mulligan from Bergen Catholic.
 

wngarbarini

Heisman
May 4, 2006
10,981
11,413
113
I will be there for the wrestleoffs. Probably the best one will be Giraldo/Delvecchio. Dippery/Theo may match up and that will be a war. Hopefully Hrymack/Campy?
 

obrats_rivals

All-Conference
Mar 28, 2013
1,964
1,080
0
So how is Camp's weight?

The silence can't be a good sign. Hope I am wrong.

I was very high going into this season and a big reason was thinking the old Camp (Freshman Ohio State) would be back. It will take a little wind out of the sail if he is not there.
 

Ole Cabbagehead

All-American
Apr 21, 2011
8,075
6,323
0
Wrestle offs next Saturday 11 am at The Barn (Football plays Ohio St at 8pm) big day on the banks !

When will the wrestle off pairings be announced?

I think I read recently that Coach G said he wasn't a big fan of 'wrestle-offs', seems kind of strange him saying that when the program is hyping these wrestle offs, lol.

I had a chance to talk to him about this. He openly says he is not a fan of them. He says it has no bearing on who starts, and doesn't like teammates competing against each other in that way. He said from his point of view they are more a way to get the kids used to making weight, and get them ready for the season in that way.

Per the twitter, match-ups will be announced tonight.
 

Abro1975

Heisman
Nov 21, 2009
24,499
12,979
0
Thanks ! I'll keep checking the wrestling twitter site.

I had a chance to talk to him about this. He openly says he is not a fan of them. He says it has no bearing on who starts, and doesn't like teammates competing against each other in that way. He said from his point of view they are more a way to get the kids used to making weight, and get them ready for the season in that way.

Per the twitter, match-ups will be announced tonight.
 

wngarbarini

Heisman
May 4, 2006
10,981
11,413
113
I will speculate:
McCabe/Patrick
Giraldo/Delvecchio
Ashnault/Ramos
Theo/Dippery
Lewis/Van Brill
Pagano/Perrotti
Backukas/Parfumi
Gravina/Messner
Hrymack/Krymiller
Smith/Kid that was 197 redshirt last year (drawing a blank on name)
 
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