Razohnn Gross: Returning to Form
Nov 08 | Wrestling
Senior heavyweight looks to shine in final season at Rutgers
Razohnn Gross' path to the Rutgers wrestling team was not as direct as most, but he is not worried about how he has gotten to this point in his career.
The senior heavyweight is only interested in the way he finishes.
"When the opportunity to wrestle presented itself, and as I was able to clear my mind, I thought that maybe I did want to go a different route and wrestle," Gross said. "I took the opportunity and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love Rutgers, Rutgers wrestling, my teammates and coaches."
Gross was a standout wrestler in high school, as he posted a 127-18 record and won back-to-back 195-pound NJSIAA State titles in his final two years at Don Bosco Prep. Gross went 29-2 as a senior, ending his career with a state championship.
However, his first love was football. Although Gross earned a number of scholarship offers to continue wrestling in college, he believed the gridiron was the place he needed to be. So, Gross decided to enroll at Rutgers and walk on to the football team.
"Football is my passion and it was what I loved to do," Gross said. "Coming out of high school, I wanted to play football in college. I had a lot of wrestling offers, but I turned them all down to walk on at Rutgers and play football."
But with two seasons of eligibility prior to the 2016-17 season, Gross made the decision to trade in his cleats for a singlet, and the Franklin Park, New Jersey, native has not looked back since.
Gross finished his first collegiate season with 14 wins in his first season with the Scarlet Knights, which included a 6-1 mark in Big Ten action. At the Big Ten Championships, Gross placed sixth, just one spot from automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships last March.
While Gross believes it was a disappointment missing out on NCAAs, there were still a lot of key moments for him last season, as the heavyweight stepped up when the program needed him most.
Down 17-16 to then-No. 12 Illinois at the RAC last winter, RU needed Gross to secure a decision to claim the dual match. In his first career bout at the RAC, Gross responded with a thrilling 3-2 victory thanks to a last-second takedown of the Fighting Illini's Deuce Rachal, as the RAC faithful went into a frenzy.
His ability to be there when the team needs him most is not only reserved for match day.
"Gross is an inspiration," said 184-pounder Nicholas Gravina. "He consistently wants to get everyone better, but he also wants everyone to work optimally. In the weight room, he'll yell right in your face, but he's also the kid who'll come up to you after a tough match and be the first one to tell you it's going to be all right. He's and all-around leader and he's a key asset to our team."
This season, the expectations for Gross have increased along with that of the program. RU finished No. 12 nationally in the final dual rankings last season, produced seven NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans in Anthony Ashnault and Ken Theobold.
Gross fell one spot short of becoming the eighth Scarlet Knight to secure a trip to nationals last season after he finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships last March.
He does not need to be reminded of that.
"My expectations are to make NCAAs and to become an All-American," Gross said. "Last year, I came up short to qualify for NCAAs by one spot, but that just gives me more fuel to go out there and do what I do now. I got so much better in the offseason with my technique and my ability to perform on top."
Head coach Scott Goodale witnessed the improvement first hand over the summer, Gross' first as a full-time member of the team. Goodale believes Rutgers can do even better this season, and part of that starts with how well Gross can perform in his final season "On the Banks."
"Razohnn has gotten a lot better, and he's put a lot of time in," Goodale said at the program's annual media day. "He's never had an offseason because he was always involved in football. He's probably made the biggest jump from a technique standpoint just because he was away from wrestling for three or four years. What Razohnn has done a really good job of is taking two or three things and doing them really well."
The program has elevated its status as one of the top dual programs in the country, which means more eyes will be on Gross. While the path for RU's heavyweight to the mat may not have been as direct as others, Gross is just glad he gets one final chance to attempt all of his goals right here in Piscataway.
"Rutgers means everything to me," Gross said. "This place is just a great place to be. It's my hometown and my home state. I only grew up about 10 minutes away from Rutgers going to all of the sporting events. It's just a place that everyone, my friends and family, are around. This is my home."
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) and Instagram (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
The senior heavyweight is only interested in the way he finishes.
"When the opportunity to wrestle presented itself, and as I was able to clear my mind, I thought that maybe I did want to go a different route and wrestle," Gross said. "I took the opportunity and I wouldn't change it for the world. I love Rutgers, Rutgers wrestling, my teammates and coaches."
Gross was a standout wrestler in high school, as he posted a 127-18 record and won back-to-back 195-pound NJSIAA State titles in his final two years at Don Bosco Prep. Gross went 29-2 as a senior, ending his career with a state championship.
However, his first love was football. Although Gross earned a number of scholarship offers to continue wrestling in college, he believed the gridiron was the place he needed to be. So, Gross decided to enroll at Rutgers and walk on to the football team.
"Football is my passion and it was what I loved to do," Gross said. "Coming out of high school, I wanted to play football in college. I had a lot of wrestling offers, but I turned them all down to walk on at Rutgers and play football."
But with two seasons of eligibility prior to the 2016-17 season, Gross made the decision to trade in his cleats for a singlet, and the Franklin Park, New Jersey, native has not looked back since.
Gross finished his first collegiate season with 14 wins in his first season with the Scarlet Knights, which included a 6-1 mark in Big Ten action. At the Big Ten Championships, Gross placed sixth, just one spot from automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships last March.
While Gross believes it was a disappointment missing out on NCAAs, there were still a lot of key moments for him last season, as the heavyweight stepped up when the program needed him most.
Down 17-16 to then-No. 12 Illinois at the RAC last winter, RU needed Gross to secure a decision to claim the dual match. In his first career bout at the RAC, Gross responded with a thrilling 3-2 victory thanks to a last-second takedown of the Fighting Illini's Deuce Rachal, as the RAC faithful went into a frenzy.
His ability to be there when the team needs him most is not only reserved for match day.
"Gross is an inspiration," said 184-pounder Nicholas Gravina. "He consistently wants to get everyone better, but he also wants everyone to work optimally. In the weight room, he'll yell right in your face, but he's also the kid who'll come up to you after a tough match and be the first one to tell you it's going to be all right. He's and all-around leader and he's a key asset to our team."
This season, the expectations for Gross have increased along with that of the program. RU finished No. 12 nationally in the final dual rankings last season, produced seven NCAA qualifiers and two All-Americans in Anthony Ashnault and Ken Theobold.
Gross fell one spot short of becoming the eighth Scarlet Knight to secure a trip to nationals last season after he finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships last March.
He does not need to be reminded of that.
"My expectations are to make NCAAs and to become an All-American," Gross said. "Last year, I came up short to qualify for NCAAs by one spot, but that just gives me more fuel to go out there and do what I do now. I got so much better in the offseason with my technique and my ability to perform on top."
Head coach Scott Goodale witnessed the improvement first hand over the summer, Gross' first as a full-time member of the team. Goodale believes Rutgers can do even better this season, and part of that starts with how well Gross can perform in his final season "On the Banks."
"Razohnn has gotten a lot better, and he's put a lot of time in," Goodale said at the program's annual media day. "He's never had an offseason because he was always involved in football. He's probably made the biggest jump from a technique standpoint just because he was away from wrestling for three or four years. What Razohnn has done a really good job of is taking two or three things and doing them really well."
The program has elevated its status as one of the top dual programs in the country, which means more eyes will be on Gross. While the path for RU's heavyweight to the mat may not have been as direct as others, Gross is just glad he gets one final chance to attempt all of his goals right here in Piscataway.
"Rutgers means everything to me," Gross said. "This place is just a great place to be. It's my hometown and my home state. I only grew up about 10 minutes away from Rutgers going to all of the sporting events. It's just a place that everyone, my friends and family, are around. This is my home."
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) and Instagram (@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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