Rutgers Wrestling Unveils 2012-13 Schedule
Jul 19 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 19, 2012) - The Rutgers wrestling team released its 2012-13 schedule on Thursday, announcing a seven-dual home slate that additionally features the 2013 EIWA Championships from March 8-9 at the RAC. Hosting the conference tournament for the first time in program history, the Scarlet Knights postseason march will begin at home. The newly minted schedule also includes the first collegiate wrestling event in the history of New York City's Madison Square Garden, as RU takes part in the "Grapple at the Garden" duals along with nine other college wrestling programs.
Led by sixth-year head coach Scott Goodale, Rutgers' mat squad has won 84 duals in his tenure, including a school-record 21 victories in 2010-11. Last year's RU team was strong at home with five home dual wins, including three victories over EIWA opponents.
"I really like the challenge our schedule presents," Goodale said. "This is the best home schedule since I have been here at Rutgers. We will host Iowa State, Lehigh and Penn State in our gym. Those are three programs that have some of the best tradition in all of college wrestling. We will also host in-state rivals Princeton and Rider, adding to the great opportunities for our fans to come out to show their support.
"We are also involved in some real high-quality open tournaments with great competition early on. To close the home season, we are excited to host one of the best qualifying tournaments in America. The EIWA tournament is a special chance for Scarlet Knight fans."
The Scarlet Knights' array of home opponents for the upcoming season is highlighted by non-conference matches against perennial powers of the Big 12 Conference and Big Ten Conference. RU will take on Iowa State on Jan. 11, 2013 at 7 p.m., and host two-time defending NCAA champion Penn State on February 24, 2013 at 1 p.m. The Cyclones and Nittany Lions have combined to capture eight national team titles. Rutgers additionally plays host to EIWA foe Lehigh on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.
Rutgers is set to face Nebraska and Tennessee-Chattanooga in the "Grapple at the Garden" event. The day of wrestling in the "Big Apple" starts with the Huskers at 10:30 a.m., with the matchup against the Mocs following at 12:30 p.m.
"I think it is great that Rutgers gets to take part in the first ever collegiate wrestling event in Madison Square Garden," Goodale said. "Anyone involved in sports knows MSG is one of the most prestigious arenas in the world. It will be a great honor for our wrestlers."
RU begins the season with three events in the month of November, starting with a season-opening trip to the Hokie Open on Nov. 4 in Blacksburg, Va. The Scarlet Knights face Clarion in College Ave. Gym on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. to start the home schedule. Rutgers closes the month at the Northeast Duals in Albany, N.Y., on Nov. 24.
After wrestling at the Penn State Open in State College, Pa., on Dec. 2, Rutgers will host an in-state tri-meet with both Rider and conference opponent Princeton on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
The Scarlet Knights take a trip to the West Coast with dual dates set for Cal State-Bakersfield (Jan. 3, 2013) and a quad-meet between Arizona State, Penn and host Stanford on Jan. 6, 2013. The month of January additionally features four road trips to Harvard and Brown (Jan. 20, 2013), West Virginia (Jan. 25, 2013) and Navy (Jan. 26, 2013).
RU hosts its second-to-last dual meet of the season against Bloomsburg on Feb. 8, 2013, with action starting in College Ave. Gym at 6:30 p.m. Goodale's squad then faces Drexel and Old Dominion in consecutive road trips on Feb. 15, 2013 and Feb. 17, 2013, respectively.
After closing the season with the RU-PSU dual and the EIWA Championships, qualified Scarlet Knights will have the opportunity to take on the rest of the nation at the 2013 NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, from March 21-23.
Rutgers fans can expect more information on season ticket renewals and dual tickets in August.
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.
2012-2013 Rutgers Wrestling Schedule
Nov. 4, 2012 Hokie Open Blacksburg, Va. All Day
Nov. 11, 2012 Clarion College Ave. Gym 1 p.m.
Nov. 24, 2012 Northeast Duals Albany, N.Y. All Day
Dec. 2, 2012 Penn State Open State College, Pa. All Day
Dec. 8, 2012 Rider College Ave. Gym 5 p.m.
Princeton College Ave. Gym 7 p.m.
Dec. 16, 2012 Nebraska Madison Square Garden 10:30 a.m.
Tennessee-Chattanooga Madison Square Garden 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 3, 2013 Cal State-Bakersfield Bakersfield, Calif. TBD
Jan. 6, 2013 Arizona State/Penn/Stanford Palo Alto, Calif. TBD
Jan. 11, 2013 Iowa State CAG or RAC 7 p.m.
Jan. 18, 2013 Lehigh CAG or RAC 7 p.m.
Jan. 20, 2013 Harvard Cambridge, Mass. TBD
Brown Providence, R.I. TBD
Jan. 25, 2013 West Virginia Morgantown, W. Va. TBD
Jan. 26, 2013 Navy Annapolis, Md. TBD
Feb. 8, 2013 Bloomsburg College Ave. Gym 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15, 2013 Drexel Philadelphia, Pa. TBD
Feb. 17, 2013 Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. TBD
Feb. 24, 2013 Penn State CAG or RAC 1 p.m.
March 8-9, 2013 EIWA Championships Piscataway, N.J. (RAC) All Day
March 21-23, 2013 NCAA Championships Des Moines, Iowa All Day
