2018-19 Wrestling Season Preview: 141 & 149 Pounds
Oct 15 | Wrestling
Ashnault makes anticipated return for final collegiate season
Editor's Note: This is the second of five previews of the 2018-19 Rutgers wrestling season
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Plenty of intrigue surrounds 141 and 149 pounds for Rutgers wrestling heading into the 2018-19 season. All eyes will no doubt be fixated on the most decorated competitor to wear a Scarlet Knight singlet.
After receiving a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, graduate senior Anthony Ashnault makes his anticipated return to the lineup after he missed the entire 2017-18 season due to injury. Ashnault will wrestle up a weight this year at 149 pounds during his final go around in Piscataway.
The owner of 91 career victories as a Scarlet Knight, Ashnault needs 27 wins this season to surpass Mike McHugh for the most in program history. Based on his credentials, there are realistic expectations that Ashnault will be at the top of the all-time list when March rolls around.
Rutgers' only three-time All-American and two-time Big Ten champion, Ashnault has advanced to semifinal bouts at the NCAA Championships in both 2016 and 2017. The South Plainfield, New Jersey native has also been dominate in team action for Rutgers, having only dropped four dual matches in three seasons for an impressive 53-4 mark.
Head coach Scott Goodale knows there is still plenty for Ashnault to accomplish before he wraps up his last season "On the Banks", including a chance to make history at the national level.
"Getting him back is important," Goodale said. "He has been the face of this program for a long time now and there is one thing he is missing, and we all know what that is. Hopefully, he will be the first guy ever to be a four-time All American, but it is about winning a national title for Anthony."
For followers of the New Jersey wrestling scene, retaining Ashnault's services also means he will be featured in a lineup with junior Nick Suriano. Ashnault and Suriano combined for an unblemished 329-0 record wrestling for South Plainfield and Bergen Catholic, respectively, each collecting four consecutive NJSIAA state titles.
Going undefeated and winning four state titles has only been done twice in New Jersey history, and both of those student-athletes reside right here on campus. Goodale understands how iconic it is having Ashnault and Suriano together competing for the State University of New Jersey, but preaches patience when it comes to gauging expectations.
"It could be iconic and epic if they do what we expect them to do," Goodale said. "But there is a lot that can happen, a lot that goes into it, so I do not want to put the cart before the horse. I am just worried about today and that is boring, but that's okay. We will be boring with those two."
Fans might be inclined to fixate their attention on Ashnault and Suriano, but there is plenty of talent up and down the roster. Goodale is excited about rookie Jake Benner, a 2017 NJSIAA state champion and winner of 147 matches for Ocean Township at 138 pounds. Goodale plans to not redshirt Benner, who will back up Ashnault at 149 pounds and can also see time at other weights.
At 141 pounds, redshirt sophomore Michael Van Brill is back after serving as RU's full-time starter at that spot in the lineup last season. Van Brill finished 2017-18 with 15 wins overall, seven victories in dual action and two wins at the 2018 Big Ten Championships out in East Lansing, Michigan. Van Brill provided plenty of highlights for the Scarlet Knights, including a 3-2 decision over then No. 16 Mike Longo of Oklahoma at the 2017 Journeymen duals along with three contributions to the pin pool.
"Mikey [Van Brill] is going to go back down," Goodale said. "He had a good year for us last season, and he comes into this year with his weight already in control."
141 pounds also features redshirt junior Peter Lipari and redshirt freshman Robert Cleary. Lipari had 10 wins last season at the weight, highlighted by two wins at the Midlands Championships and a 3-2 mark at the National Collegiate Open. Cleary collected 14 wins during his redshirt season in 2017-18 with runner-up finishes at both Mat-Town and East Stroudsburg opens.
"It's a very deep weight for us," Goodale said. "Mikey will be pushed by both Cleary and Lipari and I believe Lipari had the best summer of them all, as far as training and preparation. Cleary redshirted last year and got some great experience in open tournaments, so I am anxious to see how that weight plays out."
Rutgers returns six wrestlers with NCAA Championships' experience in 2018-19, including Ashnault and Suriano. NCAA qualifiers Nicholas Gravina (3x), John Van Brill (2x), Jordan Pagano (1x) and Matthew Correnti (1x) will also be available for the Scarlet Knights, who open their season on Nov. 3 against Fresno State, Centenary and Johnson & Wales at the RAC. Suriano (No. 2 at 125 pounds), Ashnault (No. 3 at 149 pounds), Van Brill (No. 9 at 157 pounds) and Gravina (No. 12 at 184 pounds) all appear in preseason rankings by FloWrestling.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (/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. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Plenty of intrigue surrounds 141 and 149 pounds for Rutgers wrestling heading into the 2018-19 season. All eyes will no doubt be fixated on the most decorated competitor to wear a Scarlet Knight singlet.
After receiving a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, graduate senior Anthony Ashnault makes his anticipated return to the lineup after he missed the entire 2017-18 season due to injury. Ashnault will wrestle up a weight this year at 149 pounds during his final go around in Piscataway.
The owner of 91 career victories as a Scarlet Knight, Ashnault needs 27 wins this season to surpass Mike McHugh for the most in program history. Based on his credentials, there are realistic expectations that Ashnault will be at the top of the all-time list when March rolls around.
Rutgers' only three-time All-American and two-time Big Ten champion, Ashnault has advanced to semifinal bouts at the NCAA Championships in both 2016 and 2017. The South Plainfield, New Jersey native has also been dominate in team action for Rutgers, having only dropped four dual matches in three seasons for an impressive 53-4 mark.
Head coach Scott Goodale knows there is still plenty for Ashnault to accomplish before he wraps up his last season "On the Banks", including a chance to make history at the national level.
"Getting him back is important," Goodale said. "He has been the face of this program for a long time now and there is one thing he is missing, and we all know what that is. Hopefully, he will be the first guy ever to be a four-time All American, but it is about winning a national title for Anthony."
For followers of the New Jersey wrestling scene, retaining Ashnault's services also means he will be featured in a lineup with junior Nick Suriano. Ashnault and Suriano combined for an unblemished 329-0 record wrestling for South Plainfield and Bergen Catholic, respectively, each collecting four consecutive NJSIAA state titles.
Going undefeated and winning four state titles has only been done twice in New Jersey history, and both of those student-athletes reside right here on campus. Goodale understands how iconic it is having Ashnault and Suriano together competing for the State University of New Jersey, but preaches patience when it comes to gauging expectations.
"It could be iconic and epic if they do what we expect them to do," Goodale said. "But there is a lot that can happen, a lot that goes into it, so I do not want to put the cart before the horse. I am just worried about today and that is boring, but that's okay. We will be boring with those two."
Fans might be inclined to fixate their attention on Ashnault and Suriano, but there is plenty of talent up and down the roster. Goodale is excited about rookie Jake Benner, a 2017 NJSIAA state champion and winner of 147 matches for Ocean Township at 138 pounds. Goodale plans to not redshirt Benner, who will back up Ashnault at 149 pounds and can also see time at other weights.
At 141 pounds, redshirt sophomore Michael Van Brill is back after serving as RU's full-time starter at that spot in the lineup last season. Van Brill finished 2017-18 with 15 wins overall, seven victories in dual action and two wins at the 2018 Big Ten Championships out in East Lansing, Michigan. Van Brill provided plenty of highlights for the Scarlet Knights, including a 3-2 decision over then No. 16 Mike Longo of Oklahoma at the 2017 Journeymen duals along with three contributions to the pin pool.
"Mikey [Van Brill] is going to go back down," Goodale said. "He had a good year for us last season, and he comes into this year with his weight already in control."
141 pounds also features redshirt junior Peter Lipari and redshirt freshman Robert Cleary. Lipari had 10 wins last season at the weight, highlighted by two wins at the Midlands Championships and a 3-2 mark at the National Collegiate Open. Cleary collected 14 wins during his redshirt season in 2017-18 with runner-up finishes at both Mat-Town and East Stroudsburg opens.
"It's a very deep weight for us," Goodale said. "Mikey will be pushed by both Cleary and Lipari and I believe Lipari had the best summer of them all, as far as training and preparation. Cleary redshirted last year and got some great experience in open tournaments, so I am anxious to see how that weight plays out."
Rutgers returns six wrestlers with NCAA Championships' experience in 2018-19, including Ashnault and Suriano. NCAA qualifiers Nicholas Gravina (3x), John Van Brill (2x), Jordan Pagano (1x) and Matthew Correnti (1x) will also be available for the Scarlet Knights, who open their season on Nov. 3 against Fresno State, Centenary and Johnson & Wales at the RAC. Suriano (No. 2 at 125 pounds), Ashnault (No. 3 at 149 pounds), Van Brill (No. 9 at 157 pounds) and Gravina (No. 12 at 184 pounds) all appear in preseason rankings by FloWrestling.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (/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. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
Wrestling Post Match Press Conference - Minnesota
Saturday, February 07
Wrestling Post Match Press Conference - Michigan
Saturday, January 17
Rutgers Wrestling Preview Show 2025-26
Thursday, October 23
Day in the Life of Head Coach Scott Goodale: Part 3
Thursday, October 23
