Rivera Finishes Season as Nation’s Leader in Tech Falls
Mar 21 | Wrestling
DETROIT – Rutgers wrestling standout Sebastian Rivera finished the 2021-22 season as the country's leader in technical falls with 14. Rivera was presented with the national award on Saturday night after the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit.
The five-time All-American picked up his 14th tech fall against No. 10 seed Jakob Bergeland (Minnesota) during the consolation quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena. Rivera finished with six more tech falls than Iowa's Austin DeSanto to claim the award.
Rivera defeated No. 8 seed Grant Willits (Oregon State) by 6-5 decision to become just the second bronze medalist in program history. Rivera finished his NCAA Championships with a 6-1 record and closed out the 2021-22 season with an impressive 30-1 record, which included 25 wins by bonus points.
The Toms River, New Jersey, native finished his illustrious collegiate career as a five-time All-American (four NCAA, one NWCA) and two-time Big Ten Champion. Rivera produced 115 career wins, which included 20 at the NCAA Tournament 42 for Rutgers. Rivera became the fourth individual to secure a top-three finish at nationals for the Scarlet Knights, joining Anthony Ashnault (2019), Nick Suriano (2018 & 2019) and Mike Leta (1960). Rivera and Leta are the only national bronze medalist in program history.
Rivera and Greg Bulsak earned All-America laurels over the weekend, as Rutgers has produced two or more All-Americans in each of the past seven seasons and at least one top-three placer at three of the past four national tournaments under head coach Scott Goodale.
The five-time All-American picked up his 14th tech fall against No. 10 seed Jakob Bergeland (Minnesota) during the consolation quarterfinals of the NCAA Championships on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena. Rivera finished with six more tech falls than Iowa's Austin DeSanto to claim the award.
Rivera defeated No. 8 seed Grant Willits (Oregon State) by 6-5 decision to become just the second bronze medalist in program history. Rivera finished his NCAA Championships with a 6-1 record and closed out the 2021-22 season with an impressive 30-1 record, which included 25 wins by bonus points.
The Toms River, New Jersey, native finished his illustrious collegiate career as a five-time All-American (four NCAA, one NWCA) and two-time Big Ten Champion. Rivera produced 115 career wins, which included 20 at the NCAA Tournament 42 for Rutgers. Rivera became the fourth individual to secure a top-three finish at nationals for the Scarlet Knights, joining Anthony Ashnault (2019), Nick Suriano (2018 & 2019) and Mike Leta (1960). Rivera and Leta are the only national bronze medalist in program history.
Rivera and Greg Bulsak earned All-America laurels over the weekend, as Rutgers has produced two or more All-Americans in each of the past seven seasons and at least one top-three placer at three of the past four national tournaments under head coach Scott Goodale.
Players Mentioned
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