Rutgers Wrestling Announces 2008-09 Schedule
Jul 31 | Wrestling
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - The Rutgers University wrestling team released its 2008-09 schedule, second-year head coach Scott Goodale announced. The team looks to build on an impressive 2007-08 campaign that saw two wrestlers compete in the NCAA Wrestling Championships for the first time since 2004-05. In 2008-09, the Scarlet Knights will compete against 18 schools that sent wrestlers to the NCAA Wrestling Championships, including five teams that finished among the top 30.
"I think the schedule is another indicator of where we want the program to go," said Goodale. "There has to be a focus and a certain mindset that will last throughout the season if you want to be ready for the EIWA's and National tournament."
For the ninth consecutive year, the Scarlet Knights will begin the season at the Oklahoma-Brockport Gold Tournament in Brockport, N.Y. Matches are scheduled to begin on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10:00 a.m. RU will then travel to Binghamton, N.Y. on consecutive weekends, competing first in the Binghamton Open on Nov. 23. On Nov. 29, RU returns to Binghamton to wrestle in the Sprawl & Brawl, facing Indiana University, which finished 12th in last year's NCAA Wrestling Championships, as well as Ohio University, Cal State Bakersfield, Clarion and Liberty.
Rutgers then returns to New Brunswick for its first home match, a tri-meet against EIWA foes Princeton and Franklin & Marshall on Dec. 6. Next, RU will compete in the Penn State Open on Sunday, Dec. 7, before returning to action at Lock Haven on Dec. 14. RU's last dual match of 2008 comes against EIWA opponent Lehigh at the College Ave. Gym on Dec. 20.
After competing in the Midlands Tournament in Evanston, Ill., from Dec. 29-30, RU travels to Providence, R.I., to face EIWA conference opponent Brown on Jan. 9. The Scarlet Knights then host Army, Boston and the US Merchant Marine Academy at the College Ave. Gym on Jan. 11, before embarking on a two-day road trip that sees the team facing Virginia and UNC-Greensboro in Charlottesville, Va., on Jan. 17, and Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Jan. 18.
Rutgers then returns to the friendly confines of the Barn for two matches, first against Rider on Jan. 24 and then against American on Feb. 7. The Scarlet Knights close out their schedule with three straight road contests, against Navy (Feb. 13), Drexel (Feb. 18) and Bloomsburg (Feb. 20).
The postseason will kick off with the 105th EIWA Championships, set to take place at the University of Pennsylvania between March 7-8. The NCAA Wrestling Championships will take place in St. Louis, Mo., between March 19-21.
"Our schedule is a good mix of the Midwest, in the Midlands Tournament and Indiana, along with an ACC swing that will be very challenging. Boise State and Cal State Bakersfield give us a good feel of the Pac-10 as well," said Goodale. "We needed to do this because of the new qualifying system that has been put in place where the strength of schedule is one of the factors that determines the qualifiers to the NCAA. What we have added to go along with what was already a tough EIWA schedule will challenge our guys from November to March. I think the schedule will force us to be ready and to compete at a high level."
