Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
Wrestling Senior Class: Leaving a Legacy
Feb 16 | Wrestling
Quartet leaves lasting mark on Scarlet Knight program
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – When Anthony Ashnault, Nicholas Gravina, Ralph Normandia and John Van Brill enter the RAC tomorrow for their dual against No. 4 Michigan, they will do so for the last time as members of the Rutgers wrestling program. While the moment will be bittersweet for the quartet of Scarlet Knights, they can look around confidently at the home faithful and know just how much of an impact they have made.
"These guys mean a lot to this program and this university," said head coach Scott Goodale. "They're so much more than just wrestlers to us and have done so much both on and off the mat. What they've done for Rutgers is given all this school and this team such a spotlight because of who they are as people. They deserve this day."
The numbers associated with the four student-athletes illustrate their contribution to a team that has cemented itself as one of the more successful programs in the sport. Since Ashnault and Gravina stepped onto campus six years ago, RU has captured 72 dual victories, including 17 over ranked foes. The four wrestlers have also combined for 279 individual career victories.
The national stage has also been kind to the senior class. Ashnault and Gravina have both qualified for the NCAA Championships three times, while Van Brill has punched his ticket to nationals twice. Ashnault's run to the podium three times is well documented, but Gravina and Van Brill also have Round of 12 experience at the national tournament.
The success on the mat has translated to seats filled in the stands, and few in the country can boast the attendance figures Rutgers owns during the time the four seniors have been "On the Banks". Through the Scarlet Knights first seven home matches this season, 34,942 fans have gone through the turnstiles at the RAC, good for an average of 4,992 per home dual. This number is helped by the record 3,022 season ticket packages sold, the fourth consecutive year Rutgers has sold the most season tickets in program history, as 2,338 season tickets were purchased in 2017-18.
There is still plenty left to accomplish as the sport heads to its final month, but the legacy Ashnault, Gravina, Normandia and Van Brill have left has already been etched in program lore.
Anthony Ashnault: Rise to the Top
Ashnault has put in a lot of work leading up to Sunday's bout against the Wolverines. Making matches at the RAC into an event has been his vision since he committed to Goodale out of South Plainfield High School, where he became New Jersey's first four-time undefeated state champion.
"It's a lot of emotions all at once," Ashnault said. "It's exciting but sad that it's almost over. I'm really excited that it has gotten to the point that people are gathering together to see my last match. That's a cool feeling and something that I have worked a long time during my career to have. I've worked extremely hard to have my name on that kind of pedestal, and I'm glad I was able to do that here at Rutgers and close to home."
If there was ever a moment to illustrate his impact on the program, one only has to look back a few weeks to find it. Against then-No. 1 Matthew Kolodzik of Princeton on Feb. 3, Ashnault earned a 10-2 major decision over the local rival, sending the 5,290 fans in attendance into a frenzy.
"That whole atmosphere – that Jersey pride – I always thought that's what it could be like," Ashnault said. "My high school had the same atmosphere on a smaller scale, so I knew New Jersey wrestling fans were loyal to the sport and understood it could be something like that. To have two New Jersey teams in an environment like that, to come out on top and the electricity I felt from the crowd was one of the best experiences I have had on the mat."
The most decorated wrestler to ever wear a Rutgers' singlet, Ashnault has collected plenty of accolades during his time in Scarlet. He is the only three-time All-American in program history, finishing as high as fourth at the national tournament with podium appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Also the only Big Ten Champion since the Scarlet Knights joined the conference – winning back-to-back 141-pound titles in 2016 and 2017 – Ashnault has been named the Bauer Male Athlete of the Year on three separate occasions, which is bestowed to the best male athlete at the University.
Ashnault has compiled a 112-18 individual record during his collegiate career and a 68-4 dual mark. Those 112 wins are fourth all-time in program history, and with a win Sunday against Michigan, Ashnault will tie Rod Van Ness (1994-98( and Dominic Cerreto (1986-89) for second on the RU wins leaderboard. The South Plainfield, New Jersey, native needs just six wins to surpass Mike McHugh (1986-89) for the most wins in program history at 118.
But there are still a few more goals Ashnault would like to accomplish at Rutgers, which includes securing the Rutgers' first-ever national title. He is excited for the challenge.
"Goodale sold me on five years, and it ended up being six," Ashnault said. "Going from having matches at College Ave. Gym and some at the RAC to what it is now, we both kind of knew it was going to get to this point. He sold that to me. We entered the Big Ten and it's been a fast, uphill climb from there."
Nicholas Gravina: Grinding His Way
Gravina, who has also been with the program for six years, finds it hard to put into words what Sunday's match means to him.
"It's just been really crazy to see how we've done not only as a team, but as a family," Gravina said. "Watching Rutgers wrestling my senior year of high school and seeing where it has gone has just been unbelievable. We're making huge jumps, and it's only going to keep jumping. I'm just excited for this last one."
The three-time national qualifier has helped the program to where it is today through grit and determination, as the Allendale, New Jersey, native has dealt with a well-documented shoulder injury throughout his collegiate career. Despite the reoccurring injury, Gravina has muscled 74 career victories, tied for 43rd in program history.
"I've handled it carefully," Gravina said about his injury. "It's just been a lot of prayer and trusting the process. I've had to switch out practices a bunch. There were some years where I didn't wrestle live in practice at all and some years where I did. It's just been a lot maneuvering to keep continuing on."
The fan base is sure glad he has, as Gravina provided the RU faithful with one of the best moments in program history at the RAC. On Dec. 12, 2015, Gravina got his hand raised with an upset win over No. 4 T.J. Dudley, helping Rutgers secure a wild 17-16 win by criteria over No. 4 Nebraska.
"[Dudley] ended up being the national runner up, so to win that match to clinch the dual, that was really exhilarating," Gravina said.
Ralph Normandia: Loving the Moment
This year, Normandia wrestled in RU's season-opener with a 4-0 decision over London Leka of Johnson and Wales, but has been sidelined for the majority of the season with a nagging injury. Despite his lack of time on the mat in 2018-19, Normandia would not have changed anything for the world.
"It's been a great experience, to be honest," Normandia said. "I never thought I would make it to this stage and this level. To come here and experience everything this program has and to become part of the family, it's crazy."
Normandia has collected more than 20 victories during his time at Rutgers after a standout high school career at nearby Franklin High School, where he was the state runner up at 195 pounds as a senior in 2014. Normandia appeared in two duals for the Scarlet Knights last season against Hofstra and Penn State, providing the depth needed for RU to complete its dual season.
"The first time I stepped on the mat at the RAC [against Hofstra] was awesome," Normandia said. "Looking around into the stands and knowing you're doing all of this in your home state in front of that crazy environment is unreal."
John Van Brill: Enjoying the Spotlight
Van Brill has given RU fans plenty to cheer about during his collegiate career, but the crowd might not have cheered louder for him than in his first home dual match at the RAC. On Jan. 6, 2017, Van Brill trailed Illinois' Kyle Langenderfer, 7-0, late in the second period. But Van Brill never faltered, as he hit a reversal stuck Langenderfer at the 4:46 mark, winning the match and helping Rutgers earn a 19-17 dual win over the No. 12-ranked Illini.
He hopes he can replicate some of that magic in tomorrow's home finale.
"It's definitely weird knowing this is the last one," Van Brill said. "I remember the first one and how exciting that was against Illinois with my comeback win. That ended up being my best match at the RAC. So hopefully I can go into this last match and make that one my best one and put the RAC on its feet."
There are plenty of other bright moments for Van Brill besides his theatrics against Illinois. The Mullica Hill, New Jersey product is within the top-50 for most career victories at Rutgers with 68 varsity wins "On the Banks". Van Brill is a two-time national qualifier, two-time Big Ten Championships placewinner and won a bronze medal for the Scarlet Knights at the 2017 Midlands Championships.
This season, Van Brill has been ranked as high as No. 9 at 157 pounds with 16 wins to his name. That includes six home dual victories in front of the RU faithful, something Van Brill values as he closes his home collegiate career.
"It's been really awesome wrestling here," Van Brill said. "This has been such a good mix of being home and being away. You get to compete at a big wrestling school within the Big Ten right in your home state, and I did not see that until I got here. Having my family around for the whole thing and getting 20-plus friends and family in the stands for every match is really special."
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.
"These guys mean a lot to this program and this university," said head coach Scott Goodale. "They're so much more than just wrestlers to us and have done so much both on and off the mat. What they've done for Rutgers is given all this school and this team such a spotlight because of who they are as people. They deserve this day."
The numbers associated with the four student-athletes illustrate their contribution to a team that has cemented itself as one of the more successful programs in the sport. Since Ashnault and Gravina stepped onto campus six years ago, RU has captured 72 dual victories, including 17 over ranked foes. The four wrestlers have also combined for 279 individual career victories.
The national stage has also been kind to the senior class. Ashnault and Gravina have both qualified for the NCAA Championships three times, while Van Brill has punched his ticket to nationals twice. Ashnault's run to the podium three times is well documented, but Gravina and Van Brill also have Round of 12 experience at the national tournament.
The success on the mat has translated to seats filled in the stands, and few in the country can boast the attendance figures Rutgers owns during the time the four seniors have been "On the Banks". Through the Scarlet Knights first seven home matches this season, 34,942 fans have gone through the turnstiles at the RAC, good for an average of 4,992 per home dual. This number is helped by the record 3,022 season ticket packages sold, the fourth consecutive year Rutgers has sold the most season tickets in program history, as 2,338 season tickets were purchased in 2017-18.
There is still plenty left to accomplish as the sport heads to its final month, but the legacy Ashnault, Gravina, Normandia and Van Brill have left has already been etched in program lore.
Anthony Ashnault: Rise to the Top
Ashnault has put in a lot of work leading up to Sunday's bout against the Wolverines. Making matches at the RAC into an event has been his vision since he committed to Goodale out of South Plainfield High School, where he became New Jersey's first four-time undefeated state champion.
"It's a lot of emotions all at once," Ashnault said. "It's exciting but sad that it's almost over. I'm really excited that it has gotten to the point that people are gathering together to see my last match. That's a cool feeling and something that I have worked a long time during my career to have. I've worked extremely hard to have my name on that kind of pedestal, and I'm glad I was able to do that here at Rutgers and close to home."
If there was ever a moment to illustrate his impact on the program, one only has to look back a few weeks to find it. Against then-No. 1 Matthew Kolodzik of Princeton on Feb. 3, Ashnault earned a 10-2 major decision over the local rival, sending the 5,290 fans in attendance into a frenzy.
"That whole atmosphere – that Jersey pride – I always thought that's what it could be like," Ashnault said. "My high school had the same atmosphere on a smaller scale, so I knew New Jersey wrestling fans were loyal to the sport and understood it could be something like that. To have two New Jersey teams in an environment like that, to come out on top and the electricity I felt from the crowd was one of the best experiences I have had on the mat."
The most decorated wrestler to ever wear a Rutgers' singlet, Ashnault has collected plenty of accolades during his time in Scarlet. He is the only three-time All-American in program history, finishing as high as fourth at the national tournament with podium appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Also the only Big Ten Champion since the Scarlet Knights joined the conference – winning back-to-back 141-pound titles in 2016 and 2017 – Ashnault has been named the Bauer Male Athlete of the Year on three separate occasions, which is bestowed to the best male athlete at the University.
Ashnault has compiled a 112-18 individual record during his collegiate career and a 68-4 dual mark. Those 112 wins are fourth all-time in program history, and with a win Sunday against Michigan, Ashnault will tie Rod Van Ness (1994-98( and Dominic Cerreto (1986-89) for second on the RU wins leaderboard. The South Plainfield, New Jersey, native needs just six wins to surpass Mike McHugh (1986-89) for the most wins in program history at 118.
But there are still a few more goals Ashnault would like to accomplish at Rutgers, which includes securing the Rutgers' first-ever national title. He is excited for the challenge.
"Goodale sold me on five years, and it ended up being six," Ashnault said. "Going from having matches at College Ave. Gym and some at the RAC to what it is now, we both kind of knew it was going to get to this point. He sold that to me. We entered the Big Ten and it's been a fast, uphill climb from there."
Nicholas Gravina: Grinding His Way
Gravina, who has also been with the program for six years, finds it hard to put into words what Sunday's match means to him.
"It's just been really crazy to see how we've done not only as a team, but as a family," Gravina said. "Watching Rutgers wrestling my senior year of high school and seeing where it has gone has just been unbelievable. We're making huge jumps, and it's only going to keep jumping. I'm just excited for this last one."
The three-time national qualifier has helped the program to where it is today through grit and determination, as the Allendale, New Jersey, native has dealt with a well-documented shoulder injury throughout his collegiate career. Despite the reoccurring injury, Gravina has muscled 74 career victories, tied for 43rd in program history.
"I've handled it carefully," Gravina said about his injury. "It's just been a lot of prayer and trusting the process. I've had to switch out practices a bunch. There were some years where I didn't wrestle live in practice at all and some years where I did. It's just been a lot maneuvering to keep continuing on."
The fan base is sure glad he has, as Gravina provided the RU faithful with one of the best moments in program history at the RAC. On Dec. 12, 2015, Gravina got his hand raised with an upset win over No. 4 T.J. Dudley, helping Rutgers secure a wild 17-16 win by criteria over No. 4 Nebraska.
"[Dudley] ended up being the national runner up, so to win that match to clinch the dual, that was really exhilarating," Gravina said.
Ralph Normandia: Loving the Moment
This year, Normandia wrestled in RU's season-opener with a 4-0 decision over London Leka of Johnson and Wales, but has been sidelined for the majority of the season with a nagging injury. Despite his lack of time on the mat in 2018-19, Normandia would not have changed anything for the world.
"It's been a great experience, to be honest," Normandia said. "I never thought I would make it to this stage and this level. To come here and experience everything this program has and to become part of the family, it's crazy."
Normandia has collected more than 20 victories during his time at Rutgers after a standout high school career at nearby Franklin High School, where he was the state runner up at 195 pounds as a senior in 2014. Normandia appeared in two duals for the Scarlet Knights last season against Hofstra and Penn State, providing the depth needed for RU to complete its dual season.
"The first time I stepped on the mat at the RAC [against Hofstra] was awesome," Normandia said. "Looking around into the stands and knowing you're doing all of this in your home state in front of that crazy environment is unreal."
John Van Brill: Enjoying the Spotlight
Van Brill has given RU fans plenty to cheer about during his collegiate career, but the crowd might not have cheered louder for him than in his first home dual match at the RAC. On Jan. 6, 2017, Van Brill trailed Illinois' Kyle Langenderfer, 7-0, late in the second period. But Van Brill never faltered, as he hit a reversal stuck Langenderfer at the 4:46 mark, winning the match and helping Rutgers earn a 19-17 dual win over the No. 12-ranked Illini.
He hopes he can replicate some of that magic in tomorrow's home finale.
"It's definitely weird knowing this is the last one," Van Brill said. "I remember the first one and how exciting that was against Illinois with my comeback win. That ended up being my best match at the RAC. So hopefully I can go into this last match and make that one my best one and put the RAC on its feet."
There are plenty of other bright moments for Van Brill besides his theatrics against Illinois. The Mullica Hill, New Jersey product is within the top-50 for most career victories at Rutgers with 68 varsity wins "On the Banks". Van Brill is a two-time national qualifier, two-time Big Ten Championships placewinner and won a bronze medal for the Scarlet Knights at the 2017 Midlands Championships.
This season, Van Brill has been ranked as high as No. 9 at 157 pounds with 16 wins to his name. That includes six home dual victories in front of the RU faithful, something Van Brill values as he closes his home collegiate career.
"It's been really awesome wrestling here," Van Brill said. "This has been such a good mix of being home and being away. You get to compete at a big wrestling school within the Big Ten right in your home state, and I did not see that until I got here. Having my family around for the whole thing and getting 20-plus friends and family in the stands for every match is really special."
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.
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