Photo by: Tony Rotundo
Soldano's Bronze Highlights Action for Wrestling at U.S. Open
May 01 | Wrestling
LAS VEGAS – Incoming freshman Brian Soldano secured a U20 Freestyle bronze medal at 86 kg to highlight unattached action for Rutgers wrestling at the 2022 USMC US Open this past weekend in Las Vegas. Several current and former Scarlet Knights competed on Friday and Saturday at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa.
Soldano ripped off four consecutive wins - which included a victories over Big Ten wrestlers Lucas Cochran (Penn State) and Jaden Bullock - to reach the championship semifinals, where he lost by VPO1 to NC State's Brock Delsignore. Soldano then won back-to-back matches on the backend of the bracket, as he defeated Tate Picklo for third in his bracket. A three-time NJSIAA state champion at High Point, Soldano finished his scholastic career with 127 victories and 99 wins by fall.
At the senior level, current assistant coach and 2019 NCAA Champion Anthony Ashnault picked up a victory at 70 kg. 2022 NCAA qualifier Michael VanBrill also competed at 70 kg and added a win in wrestlebacks, while three-time national qualifier John VanBrill won two matches at 74 kg.
Rutgers also had standout performances in the U20 freestyle bracket to go along with Soldano's third-place finish. Dean Peterson (61 kg) and Al DeSantis (70 kg) collected four and three wins, respectively. Connor O'Neill (79 kg) won back-to-back championship matches, which included a victory over 2021 NCAA qualifier Andrew Sparks of Minnesota. Anthony White (70 kg) produced three wins and John O'Donnell (125 kg) added a victory.
Rutgers finished another successful season under head coach Scott Goodale, as the Scarlet Knights closed the dual campaign with their most wins (16) since the 2012-13 season and their highest final ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll (14) since 2017. RU qualified seven to the 2022 NCAA Championships – the most since 2017 – and had all participants score at the national tournament. Greg Bulsak (197) and Sebastian Rivera (141) added All-America honors to make it seven consecutive seasons with multiple All-Americans at NCAAs. With his bronze medal, Rivera became the fourth individual to secure a top-three finish at nationals in program history.
Soldano ripped off four consecutive wins - which included a victories over Big Ten wrestlers Lucas Cochran (Penn State) and Jaden Bullock - to reach the championship semifinals, where he lost by VPO1 to NC State's Brock Delsignore. Soldano then won back-to-back matches on the backend of the bracket, as he defeated Tate Picklo for third in his bracket. A three-time NJSIAA state champion at High Point, Soldano finished his scholastic career with 127 victories and 99 wins by fall.
At the senior level, current assistant coach and 2019 NCAA Champion Anthony Ashnault picked up a victory at 70 kg. 2022 NCAA qualifier Michael VanBrill also competed at 70 kg and added a win in wrestlebacks, while three-time national qualifier John VanBrill won two matches at 74 kg.
Rutgers also had standout performances in the U20 freestyle bracket to go along with Soldano's third-place finish. Dean Peterson (61 kg) and Al DeSantis (70 kg) collected four and three wins, respectively. Connor O'Neill (79 kg) won back-to-back championship matches, which included a victory over 2021 NCAA qualifier Andrew Sparks of Minnesota. Anthony White (70 kg) produced three wins and John O'Donnell (125 kg) added a victory.
Rutgers finished another successful season under head coach Scott Goodale, as the Scarlet Knights closed the dual campaign with their most wins (16) since the 2012-13 season and their highest final ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll (14) since 2017. RU qualified seven to the 2022 NCAA Championships – the most since 2017 – and had all participants score at the national tournament. Greg Bulsak (197) and Sebastian Rivera (141) added All-America honors to make it seven consecutive seasons with multiple All-Americans at NCAAs. With his bronze medal, Rivera became the fourth individual to secure a top-three finish at nationals in program history.
Players Mentioned
/ 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
