Rutgers Wrestling Releases Wrestle-Offs Schedule
Oct 29 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 29, 2010) - Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale has announced the matchups and lineup for the squad's annual wrestle-offs which will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in College Ave. Gym. It will be the first chance Rutgers fans get to see the Scarlet Knights compete in the 2010-11 season. Admission is free for the event.
"Wrestle-offs are a great opportunity to have the guys in a pressure situation and to see how they handle it," said Goodale. "From their weight management, to their pre-match routine, they need to understand how to prepare (warm-up) and then perform. There will be nerves involved and a crowd involved, so you find out who enjoys the spotlight."
The Wrestle-Offs serve as the final competition of a week of battles to determine the starting positions for the RU wrestling team. Mini-tournaments were held this past week to help determine Tuesday's final-round matches. Matches will go off on two mats beginning at 6:30 p.m.
"The staff will be looking for guys who will wrestle hard for 7 minutes. In that way, it is a great evaluation tool," said Goodale. "At the same time, the guy that wins this match is by no means "the man" at the weight for the year. That will work itself out as the season goes and who thrives in a competition format consistently. Our wrestlers know that".
Wrestle-Offs will feature 26 student-athletes competing in 13 matches. The remaining wrestlers either did not advance during the prelims or are dealing with injuries and illness. Two key wrestlers that will sit out due injury and illness are Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) and Jordan Beverly (Point Pleasant, N.J.).
"Trevor Melde will probably be ready to go by the end of next week," Goodale said. "So between Brockport Gold tourney and some early duals the Greenwald/Melde situation will work itself out. Jordan Beverly will be out the wrestle-off due to skin and precautionary reasons he will also be in the mix at 14.
The Scarlet Knights open their regular season on Sunday, Nov. 7, when they welcome Sacred Heart and East Stroudsburg to The RAC for a double dual.
Season tickets for Rutgers wrestling are on sale now. To purchase season tickets please visit http://tickets.scarletknights.comor call 866-445-GoRU (4678).
2010-11 Rutgers Wrestle-Offs Lineup
Nov. 2 - 6:30 p.m.
College Ave. Gym
Class Matchup
197: Dan Seidenberg (Red Bank, N.J.) vs. Chris Orzechowski (Old Bridge, N.J.)
174: Alex Caruso (Greenbrook, N.J.) vs. Mike Cucinotta (Gibbstown, N.J.)
125: Joe Langel (Howell, N.J.) vs. Matt Fusco (Belleville, N.J.)
157: Anthony Volpe (Miller Place, N.Y.) vs. Braden Turner (Bath, Pa.)
285: DJ Russo (Netcong, N.J.) vs. Sean DeDeyn (Bayville, N.J.)
133: Danny White (Dayton, N.J.) vs. Mike Demarco (Lyndhurst, N.J.)
197: Mike Wagner (South Plainfield, N.J.) vs. Dan Hopkins (Jackson, N.J.)
141: Cullen Isenberg (Stewartsville, N.J.) vs. David Greenwald (Union, N.J.)
165: Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) vs. Evan Brewer (Flemington, N.J.)
174: Greg Zannetti (Edison, N.J.) vs. Brendan Ard (Watchung, N.J.)
184: Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) vs. Jesse Boyden (Kenilworth, N.J.)
157: Daryl Cocozzo (River Edge, N.J.) vs. Nick Visicaro (Long Branch, N.J.)
149: Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) vs. Joe Mcauley (Dunellen, N.J.)
