Rutgers Wrestling Opens 2013-14 Season at Hofstra
Nov 01 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Nov. 1, 2013) - The Rutgers wrestling team kicks off its 2013-14 season at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Hofstra. The Scarlet Knights return three NCAA qualifiers from a 16-4 squad that finished the season ranked No. 25 in the NWCA/USA Coaches Poll.
Three Scarlet Knights are prepared to make their NCAA debuts against the Pride, as RU looks to avenge its 26-10 loss to Hofstra on Jan. 27, 2012. Overall, RU boasts 23 underclassmen on its 26-wrestler squad.
The list of projected matchups is below:
125
Freshman Scott DelVecchio (South Plainfield, N.J.) vs. senior Jamie Franco*
Delvecchio recorded 160 wins in his career at South Plainfield HS, as he is one of four South Plainfield, N.J. natives that joined the squad this season.
133
Redshirt senior Vinnie Dellefave (Toms River, N.J.)* vs. redshirt freshman Jamel Hudson
Dellefave placed third in the 109th EIWA Tournament, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his career.
141
Freshman Corey Stasenko (South Plainfield, N.J.) vs. senior Luke Vaith*
-OR- freshman Tyson Dippery ( Harrisburg, Pa.)
Stasenko topped Dippery in the duos Oct. 26 wrestle-off at the College Ave. Gym.
149
Sophomore Ken Theobold ( Toms River, N.J.) vs. redshirt junior Cody Ruggirello
Theobold returns for the Scarlet Knights after recording a 16-3 overall record last season.
157
Redshirt sophomore Anthony Perrotti (Roseland, N.J.) vs. redshirt junior Nick Terdick
Perrotti will wrestle RU for the first time in two years after redshirting for the squad last season.
165
Redshirt junior Nick Visicaro (Long Branch, N.J.)* vs. graduate Joe Booth
Visicaro placed fifth at the 109th EIWA Tournament last season and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. He posted a 15-11 overall record and 12-5 record in dual action.
174
Redshirt freshman Phillip Bakuckas (Hammonton, N.J.) vs. sophomore Victor Pozsonyi
Bakuckas makes his Scarlet Knights' debut against the pride at 174 after redshirting in his first season "On the Banks." He went 22-11 last season wrestling unattached.
184
Redshirt senior Dan Seidenberg (Red Bank, N.J.) vs. freshman Dwight Howes
Seidenberg will return to his normal weight of 184 after wrestling up at 197 pounds last season. He went 10-13 overall and 4-9 in duals en route to a seventh place finish at the 109th EIWA Tournament.
197
Sophomore Hayden Hrymack (Lincroft, N.J.) vs. redshirt sophomore David Heitman
Hrymack went 12-15 in his first season at Rutgers.
HWT
Redshirt sophomore Billy Smith (Wantage, N.J.)* vs. freshman Robert Hughes
Last season's scoring champion, Smith returns after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2013. Smith went 27-9 overall and 17-3 in duals as a rookie.
*denotes NCAA qualifier
Scouting Hofstra
The Pride returns 17 grapplers from a year ago, including six starters. Like Rutgers, Hofstra boasts three returning NCAA qualifiers in Franco, Bonanno and Vaith. Head coach Rob Anspach resumes his coaching duties in his third year with the squad, Vaith recorded a Colonial Athletic Association championship last season at 141 pounds, as the Pride begin their first season in the EIWA in 2013-14.
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.
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