Season Preview
Oct 10 | Wrestling
By: Danny Smith
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The second season of the Rutgers wrestling program with coach Scott Goodale is officially underway, and the team is already eager to begin competition. This year, there is a newfound buzz around the Scarlet Knights program. From the coaches and trainers to the student-athletes, there is a true sense of pride and dedication.
When Goodale came to the Scarlet Knights prior to the 2007-08 campaign, he brought along with him an abundance of energy, a strenuous training program, but most importantly; a past of winning. As the head coach at Jackson Memorial High School, he knew of no alternative, and his confidence has trickled down to everyone throughout the program, especially the players.
"I would consider us a very serious threat," said junior Matt Pletcher (Eastampton, N.J.). "When you come to wrestle us this year you are going to have ten weight classes with ten tough kids who are well conditioned and battle tested."
The team's confidence relates directly to their success at the end of last year. Although the season began with the Scarlet Knights falling in their first three head-to-head meets, they stayed focused and knocked off seven of their final nine opponents.
The Knights' end-of-the-year success could be credited to the senior leadership of Steve Adamscik and the emergence of Lamar Brown (Red Bank, N.J.). Their successful seasons led them to NCAA Championships, the first time that two Scarlet Knights earned berths in the prestigious event since the 2004-05 season.
Even though Brown will be taking the year off to red shirt, his presence and leadership will certainly be magnified.
"I tell the young wrestlers, don't be afraid to hurt yourself, and every time you get punched in the face, don't be afraid to embrace it," he said.
Brown and the other upperclassmen bought into this philosophy and the many other tenets that Coach Goodale has instilled in the program. The upperclassmen have taken it upon themselves to be leaders not only vocally, but also by example.
On top of the success of the program at the end of last season, and the development of upperclassmen leadership, there is another reason for the buzz surrounding the team – a top five recruiting class. The freshmen class brings the arrival of three NJ state champions, including one senior national champion, and greatly elevated expectations. These higher expectations haven't necessarily led to increased pressure, just increased competition.
"If our freshmen can perform at the level of an All-American then you have to perform at the level of an All-American," said redshirt sophomore DJ Russo (Netcong, N.J.).
The incoming class is led by Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.), the number two ranked recruit in the nation by InterMat. Winston was a three-time state champion and finished high school with a record of 137-0. The other two incoming state champions include Jesse Boyden (Kenilworth, N.J.) and Joey Langel (Farmingdale, N.J.). While the freshman class has had success in the past, they have quickly found out that they are now at a new level of competition.
"They are freshmen, they are learning the ropes, taking some lumps, and I think that's important," said Goodale.
With the increased dedication and intensity surrounding the program, the wrestlers have begun to spend much more time together. As Goodale explained, "They know they are here to do two things, to go to school and to wrestle."
A social life is secondary as a member of the wrestling team, yet they knew this when they decided to come to Rutgers. Every one of them has bought into the team belief, from the veterans to the incoming freshmen, so there truly is a sense of family. "We are together, we are a family and we are warriors," said Pletcher.
Clearly, they're not your average family. For them, a typical day may consist of flipping tires, chopping down trees, swimming or sprinting around the campus. These are just a few of the many new workouts the program has implemented. Goodale has brought along guest trainers like Martin Rooney, another example of the increased intensity around the team.
"There were times last year when [assistant coach John Leonardis] and I would get together and say 'maybe we should slow down,' but this year it's been full throttle," said Goodale.
|
Mike Whalen |
The much-anticipated season begins on Saturday, Nov. 8, when the Scarlet Knights head to Brockport, N.Y., for the Oklahoma-Brockport Gold Tournament. The tournament is followed by three other road matches, before the RU finally arrives home on Dec. 6 for its home opener versus Princeton and Franklin & Marshall. The following day Rutgers heads down to Happy Valley for the annual Penn State Open, where Pletcher plans to defend his third place finish.
On top of the already challenging schedule, Goodale and the wrestlers wish to add in a trip to Saint Louis, Mo., the site of this year's NCAA Wrestling Championships.
"This is my last year so I want to go to NCAA Championships," said senior Mike Whalen (Lake Hiawatha, N.J.).I know for the rest of the program, everyone's goal is to take that next step."
Each individual wrestler clearly has a greater expectation for themselves.
"My goal shouldn't be anything other than being a National Champion," said Russo. "Regardless of whether it's realistic or not, you shouldn't be out there if you don't want to be not only an All-American, but a National Champion."
The team is on the brink of a special era in Rutgers wrestling, and each athlete wants to do his part to leave his mark. Goodale realizes the team is now past the point of looking up to any opponent. They expect to not only compete, but to win every match they go into.
The Scarlet Knights truly embody what it means to be part of a team, and that is apparent from the locker room to the mats. As the seniors enjoy their final year "On the Banks" at this crucial time in the program, they finally have a chance to look back at how it's evolved.
"I want to help build up the program and set the standard for future years," said Pletcher, "so I can come back and be able to say I was part of that."
