PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 15 Rutgers wrestling (13-4, 2-4) returned from its bye week with a convincing 36-3 win over Rider (2-6) on Thursday night at Jersey Mike's Arena. No. 6
Greg Bulsak (197), No. 7
John Poznanski (184), No. 16
Michael VanBrill (149), No. 18
Joseph Olivieri (133) and
Boone McDermott (HWT) all delivered bonus points in the 9-1 match split in front of 3,151 fans in Piscataway.
The Scarlet Knights were dominant throughout the dual, as they racked up more than 19 minutes of riding time across 10 bouts. The win over the in-state foe Broncs marked the eighth consecutive for RU in the series, while the three points allowed were the fewest to Rider in the series since a 29-3 victory back in 2011.
"It was an exciting win and we did what we were supposed to do all the way through. They wrestled hard, but we kind of took over later on. We're happy about it and we're fired up for Sunday for sure. We'll get back in the room tomorrow and prepare for the Buckeyes." - Head Coach
Scott Goodale
- Rutgers won its first six bouts of the night, started by No. 29 Dylan Shawver (125) against Tyler Klinsky. Shawver delivered three takedowns and churned out three-plus minutes of riding time for the 8-3 decision.
- Olivieri followed against 2021 NCAA qualifier Richie Koehler. Up 10-4 in the closing seconds of the match, Olivieri hit a four-point tilt to secure the 14-4 major decision and spark RU to a 7-0 lead.
- No. 3 Sebastian Rivera (141) won by 7-3 decision to No. 25 Quinn Kinner to snap his perfect 18-0 bonus streak. The win - his fourth over a ranked foe this season - made it 10-0 in favor of the Scarlet Knights.
- VanBrill and Robert Kanniard (157) delivered back-to-back wins before intermission. VanBrill muscled an 8-0 major over Cole McComas, while Kanniard add three takedowns in his 8-4 win over Alec Bobchin to give Rutgers a 17-0 lead at intermission.
- After a win from Andrew Clark (165) extended the Scarlet Knights' lead to 20, Connor O'Neill (174) lost the only bout of the night to Shane Reitsma. Down 3-1 with 30 seconds to go, Clark landed a single-leg for the late lead, but Reitsma responded with a reversal for the 5-4 final.
- Rutgers closed the night with three consecutive wins by bonus, including tech falls from Poznanski and Bulsak to put the dual well out of reach.
- McDermott closed the night with some fireworks against David Szuba. McDermott through his opponent over his back in the final 30 seconds of the first period and put Szuba on his back for his third pin of the season.
- Rutgers is now 7-0 at home this season.
- The program honored Rivera for his 100th career win prior to Thursday's dual. Rivera earned his 100th collegiate win last month against Illinois and has 104 total during his illustrious career.
- Rivera is now 19-0 this season with 18 of his wins coming by bonus. He owns a national-leading 11 tech falls and has delivered wins over four ranked foes this season.
- Rutgers also claimed the newly-created 'Big Ten-MAC' trophy to honor the rivalry between the two programs.
- Beloved bus driver Angel Rodrigues - who safely drove the team through a snowstorm after its dual at Penn State last month - served as an honorary captain for the match.
- Goodale is now four wins away from 200 for his career. Goodale is the program's all-time dual wins leader.
- Goodale moved to 8-2 all-time against Rider.
- Rutgers hosts No. 6 Ohio State on Sunday at Jersey Mike's Arena. The dual is slated for a noon start on Big Ten Plus.
No. 15 Rutgers 36, Rider 3
125: 29/HM/NR Dylan Shawyer (RU) dec. Tyler Klinsky (RID), 8-3; RU leads, 3-0
133: 18/21/20
Joseph Olivieri (RU) MD Richie Koehler (RID), 14-4; RU leads, 7-0
141: 3/3/3
Sebastian Rivera (RU) dec. 25/HM/NR Quinn Kinner (RID), 7-3; RU leads, 10-0
149: 16/14/16
Michael VanBrill (RU) MD Cole McComas (RID), 8-0; RU leads, 14-0
157: Robert Kanniard (RU) dec. Alec Bobchin (RID), 8-4; RU leads, 17-0
165: Andrew Clark (RU) dec. Mike Wilson (RID), 3-2; RU leads, 20-0
174: Shane Reitsma (RID) dec.
Connor O'Neill (RU), 5-4; RU leads, 20-3
184: 6/13/7
John Poznanski (RU) TF Evan Vasquez (RID), 18-3 (7:00); RU leads, 25-3
197: 6/13/7
Greg Bulsak (RU) TF Azeem Bell (RID), 16-1 (5:00), RU leads, 30-3
HWT: Boone McDermott (RU) fall (2:36) David Szuba (RID), RU wins, 36-3
