Rutgers wrestling improves to 8-1 entering B1G slate

No. 18 Rutgers wrestling improved to 8-1 overall this past weekend with road wins over Bloomsburg (0-7) and Rider (2-2). They were dominate on Friday with a 45-0 victory against the Huskies while they earned a 26-9 triumph against the in-state Broncs.

Against Bloomsburg, eight Scarlet Knights earned bonus point victories. Devon Britton (133), Andrew Clark (157) and John O’Donnell (HWT) earned pins while Jackson Turley (174) earned his first tech fall of the season.

Against Rider, the Scarlet Knights won eight of ten matches. The highlight was Devon Britton stepping up to 141 pounds and upsetting No. 29 McKenzie Bell with a 7-4 decision. It was made possible when starter Sammy Alvarez was unable to make weight, another disappointing setback for the talented grappler. Britton proved his worth as a career backup and made the most of his opportunity. The match was tied 3-3 heading into the final period before Britton delivered two takedowns to seal the win.

No. 15 Brian Soldano (184) and No. 32 Tony White (149) earned bonus point victories on Sunday in the win over Rider. It was the ninth straight win for RU over the Broncs and completed a sweep of New Jersey opponents following the 17-16 victory over Princeton in December.

“This is one we really wanted,” said head coach Scott Goodale. “It’s a match that our guys get up for as well as our fanbase. But we have a lot of work to do up and down the lineup as we get into Big Ten action.”

Rutgers will now begin its Big Ten schedule at RV Indiana on Friday, January 13 followed by visiting No. 7 Ohio State on Sunday, January 15.

Here are the box scores with complete results for the wins over Bloomsburg and Rider, courtesy of Rutgers Athletics.

No. 18 Rutgers 45, Bloomsburg 0
141: 12/HM Sammy Alvarez (RU) over Josh Mason (BU) by dec., 1-0; RU leads, 3-0
149: 32/NR Tony White (RU) over Cade Balestrini (BU) by MD, 11-0; RU leads, 7-0
157: NR/21 Andrew Clark (RU) over Christian Fritz (BU) by fall (2:29); RU leads, 13-0
165: Robert Kannaird (RU) over Trenton Harder (BU) by MD, 11-1; RU leads, 17-0
174: Jackson Turley (RU) over Anthony DeRosa (BU) by TF, 18-1 (5:49); RU leads, 22-0
184: 15/18 Brian Soldano (RU) over Bruno Stolfi (BU) by MD, 18-5; RU leads, 26-0
197: Billy Janzer (RU) over Tanner Culver (BU) by dec., 9-2; RU leads, 29-0
HWT: John O’Donnell (RU) over Shane Noonan (BU) by fall (0:53); RU leads, 35-0
125: 14/15 Dean Peterson (RU) over Bronson Garber (BU) by MD, 12-0; RU leads, 39-0
133: Devon Britton (RU) over Cole Rhone (BU) by fall (5:25)

No. 18 Rutgers 26, Rider 9
125: 14/15 Dean Peterson (RU) over Tyler Klinsky (RID) by dec., 2-0; RU leads, 3-0
133: 14/14 Joe Heilmann (RU) over Richie Koehler (RID) by dec., 6-1; RU leads, 6-0
141: Devon Britton (RU) over 29/HM McKenzie Bell (RID) by decision, 7-4; RU leads, 9-0
149: 32/NR Tony White (RU) over Bryan Miraglia (RID) by MD, 11-2; RU leads, 13-0
157: NR/21 Andrew Clark (RU) over Colton Washleski (RID) by dec., 4-3; RU leads, 16-0
165: Robert Kannaird (RU) over Hunter Mays (RID) by dec., 8-6; RU leads, 19-0
174: Jackson Turley (RU) over Shane Reitsma (RID) by dec., 11-5; RU leads, 22-0
184: 15/18 Brian Soldano (RU) over Ray Weed (RID) by MD; 14-3; RU leads, 26-0
197: 10/9 Ethan Laird (RID) over Billy Janzer (RU) by dec., 6-1; RU leads, 26-3
HWT: David Szuba (RID)  over 24/22 Boone McDermott (RU) by Inj. Def. (5:00)

Rankings Intermat/FloWrestling

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