Rutgers Wrestling Crowns Three Champions at Hokie Open
Nov 05 | Wrestling
SALEM, Va. (Nov. 4, 2012) - The Rutgers wrestling team saw three first-place individual finishes to begin the 2012-13 season at the Hokie Open inside the Salem Civic Center, with all three crowns earned by senior Scarlet Knights. Top honors were captured by 157-pounder Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.), 174-pounder Greg Zannetti (Edison, N.J.) and 184-pounder Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.).
Winston started the tournament with a 9-4 decision of Ryan Harrington (UNC-unattached), followed by a 2:50 pin of Jay Lysne (Hofstra-unattached). He closed his tournament run with a 4-1 decision of Nick Rex (Campbell) and a 6-5 decision of Indiana's Taylor Walsh. Winston has started the 2012-13 season at 157 pounds after qualifying for the NCAA Championships at 165 pounds last season.
Zannetti began his championship-winning tournament with a 6-5 decision of Trey Adamson of Duke, followed by a 7-0 shutout of Huston Evans of the hosting Hokies. He then turned away Air Force's Clayton Gable by way of a 9-8 decision. Zannetti took the title with a 4-2 decision of Virginia Tech's Austin Gabel.
Rinaldi was in top form to start the Hokie Open, pinning Brandon Tressler of King College in 2:49. He then turned away Air Force's Devin Hightower by a score of 5-3 and Virginia Tech's Nick Vetterlein by a 3-1 score. Rinaldi won the tournament with a 3-2 decision of Duke's Diego Bencomo.
Senior 149-pounder Mario Mason (Moorestown, N.J.) placed fourth, recording a 5-2 mark in the tournament. Junior 197-pounder Dan Seidenberg (Red Bank, N.J.) also placed fourth, notching a 3-2 record.
Coming off a redshirt season to start his Rutgers career in 2011-12, heavyweight Billy Smith (High Point, N.J.) placed fifth after a 5-2 showing that included three pins. Senior Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) earned a sixth-place finish at 141 pounds in his first action in the starting lineup after redshirting for the 2011-12 season.
The Scarlet Knights open their home schedule with Clarion in College Ave. Gym on Sunday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. Live video coverage will be provided by RVision, presented by AT&T. Rutgers wrestling supporters are reminded that season ticket orders can be made online at ScarletKnights.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-866-445-GORU (4678).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers wrestling, follow the program on Twitter (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
