RU's Ashnault, Russo Remain in Latest in InterMat Rankings
Jan 20 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 20, 2010) – Redshirt junior Dominick Russo (Netcong, N.J.) and junior Billy Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.) remained in the latest InterMat individual rankings, the Web site announced Wednesday.
Heavyweight Russo held his No. 9 ranking and Ashnault is listed at No. 20 in the 133-pound class.
Four other Scarlet Knights were recognized in the national rankings - sophomore Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.), redshirt freshman Joseph Langel (Howell, N.J.) redshirt senior Lamar Brown (Red Bank, N.J.) and redshirt freshman Daniel Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.)
Last weekend, Rutgers (12-4-1) extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches, as it defeated Eastern Michigan (30-9), tied Michigan State (16-16) and knocked off Findlay (34-9) Saturday afternoon at the inaugural Spartan Duals.
Along with InterMat, four other publications list Russo as the ninth best heavyweight in the country with Win-Magazine, WrestlingReport.com, Amateur Wrestling News and D1CollegeWrestling.net.
Russo leads the team, and ranks seventh in the EIWA, with 22 wins. The heavyweight has claimed a conference-best 15 pins, which ranks sixth in the country. At the Spartan Duals, Russo won all three of his matches and has won eight straight matches with four of those victories coming by pin fall.
Ashnault is listed as high as No. 18 by WrestlingReport.com and D1CollegeWrestling.net, while Win-Magazine and Amateur Wrestling News post him at No. 19.
Ashnault owns a 19-7 record this season with 11 of his victories coming by pin. The RU newcomer’s 11 pins ranks third in the conference.
Melde has won six straight matches and has compiled an 18-5 record this season. Both WrestlingReport.com and Amateur Wrestling News listed Melde as the 20th best 141-pound wrestler and D1CollegeWrestling.net position him at No. 23.
WrestlingReport.com named Langel the 27th best 125-pound wrestler in the nation. He has won 10 straight matches and has tallied a 19-5 mark this season. Langel has earned six major decisions this season, which ranks tied for sixth in the EIWA.
Brown was recognized by D1CollegeWrestling.net (No. 24) and WrestlingReport.com (No. 26). The redshirt senior owns a 15-5 record this season.
Rinaldi entered the national rankings at No. 30 by WrestlingReport.com after winning 14 straight matches. The redshirt freshman is second in the team in wins with a 20-5 record and is tied for sixth in the conference with six major decisions.
Rutgers next contest will be in New Jersey, when it travels to in-state rival Rider this Friday, Jan. 22 for an 8 p.m. match.
Rutgers Wrestling 2009-10 National Rankings
(As of Jan. 20)
Joseph Langel – 125 Pounds
Rank Publication
27 WrestlingReport.com
Billy Ashnault – 133 Pounds
Rank Publication
20 InterMat
19 Win-Magazine
18 WrestlingReport.com
19 Amateur Wrestling News
18 D1CollegeWrestling.net
Trevor Melde – 141 Pounds
Rank Publication
20 WrestlingReport.com
20 Amateur Wrestling News
23 D1CollegeWrestling.net
Daniel Rinaldi – 174 Points
30 WrestlingReport.com
Lamar Brown – 197 Pounds
Rank Publication
26 WrestlingReport.com
24 D1CollegeWrestling.net
Dominick Russo – Heavyweight
Rank Publication
9 InterMat
9 Win-Magazine
9 WrestlingReport.com
9 Amateur Wrestling News
9 D1CollegeWrestling.net
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