PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 12 Rutgers wrestling (12-5, 4-3) wraps up Big Ten Conference action with Michigan State (4-7, 0-6) on Friday at Jersey Mike's Arena. The dual is set for a 7 p.m. start and will stream on Big Ten Plus, with Nick Kosko and Matt Howe on the call.
Friday serves as the program's 'Scarlet Out' match, with fans encouraged to wear red to the dual. Fans will receive a complimentary red 'Block R' shirt while supplies last. Tickets for Friday's match are still available
here.
With a win over the Spartans, RU will secure its first winning record in Big Ten action since the 2018-19 season and just its fourth since it joined the league in 2014-15. A win from No. 7
Yaraslau Slavikouski on Friday will be the 100th of his collegiate career after he produced 64 at Harvard before he arrived "On the Banks."
Jersey Mike's Arena a True Home Advantage
By Bradly Derechailo
Joseph Olivieri knows just how much the crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena impacts a match.
Up 1-0 midway through the second period last month against Illinois' Danny Pucino, the 141-pounder finished off a scramble for a takedown, bringing the Rutgers wrestling faithful to their feet. With more than 3,400 packed into the arena, Olivieri used the crowd's energy to muscle an 8-4 win over Pucino, a 2024 NCAA qualifier ranked as high as No. 12 in the country.
Olivieri wanted to put on a show for the fans, and getting his hand raised at home is something he never takes for granted.
"It's the best feeling ever," Olivieri said. "Our fans are the best. They show up and show out for every match, and we just try to do our best for them every time we go out there. When you look up and there are thousands of people cheering you on, you want to make it entertaining."
Olivieri's win helped the Scarlet Knights secure their signature win of the season – a 16-15 defeat of the then-No. 10 Fighting Illini for the program's first top-10 victory since 2019. With a 3-1 home record this winter, RU is 40-18 at Jersey Mike's Arena dating back to its first full time season at JMA in 2016-17, good for a .689 winning percentage.
While head coach
Scott Goodale and his staff have put together a lineup that features ranked individuals at all 10 weights, he understands just how vital an active crowd is to his team's success.
That passion is needed Friday night against Michigan State (7 p.m., Big Ten Plus). A win over the Spartans secures the program's first winning conference record since 2019 and its third since it joined the Big Ten in 2014-15.
"It's no secret how much a good crowd helps you," Goodale said. "When you're tired and in a tough bout and next thing you know the crowd gets behind you, it fires you up and gives you a little extra jolt. Our guys love getting their hand raised out there. We want to perform well and continue to put out a good product."
That product has been one of the most popular in the sport since it began Big Ten competition a decade ago.
Rutgers averaged 4,002 fans per home match last winter, good for ninth in the country and fifth in the conference. It marked the eighth consecutive season (not including the 2022-21 COVID season) the Scarlet Knights finished top 10 in national attendance average dating back to 2015-16.
"They do as good of a job as anyone marketing wrestling," said award winning sports broadcast Shane Sparks on B1G Today. "A lot of those guys are from New Jersey. The crowd and those guys feed off each other as well as any place in the country."
This season, 18,564 fans have come through the turnstiles for RU's first four home duals, good for a 4,641 average. The program drew a sellout crowd of 8,057 for its dual with No. 1 Penn State on Jan. 24, marking the second-largest crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena for wrestling in program history and the team's third sold-out match at the venue.
Safe to say, Rutgers has come a long way since 22 fans watched the Scarlet Knights on January 4, 2008 at the College Avenue Gym – Goodale's first home dual as head coach.
"I really try to soak it in at some point during each match," Goodale said of the passionate crowds at Jersey Mike's Arena. "I'm super appreciative to the people who buy season tickets and who support us. I'm just really appreciative they make their way towards a college wrestling event, whether at Rutgers or anywhere in the country."
Reigning Big Ten Champion
Dylan Shawver agrees with Goodale's gratitude. The Lorain, Ohio native got his first taste of the Jersey Mike's Arena crowd on Nov. 7, 2021 against Cleveland State in Piscataway, using the fans' energy to muscle a 6-5 decision over Logan Heil.
There have been plenty of standout moments for Shawver and the rest of the program since that victory four seasons ago. The one constant during that time is the support the fan base has for the program.
"A lot of people come out and support us, which the entire team is grateful for. Not many teams have the support that we have. The atmosphere here is amazing. You have to be grateful for it."
There are only two nights left for fans to catch the Scarlet Knights compete at home this season. With back-to-back victories to close the regular season, RU would finish with its most dual wins since posting 16 in 2022.
Olivieri understands there is nothing quite like match night at Jersey Mike's Arena.
"When you're in the middle of the match and you hear the crowd get behind you, it gives you a second wind, Olivieri said. "Whether a good call or bad call, they're always on their feet cheering for you. Whether you're down or up, they get into the match. It shows just how much Jersey has our back."
No. 12 Rutgers (12-5, 4-3)
125: 9/11
Dean Peterson (18-3) -OR-
Ayden Smith (4-4)
133: 10/10
Dylan Shawver (15-6)
141: 13/15
Joseph Olivieri (14-5) -OR-
Joe Fongaro (4-7)
149: 19/24
Andrew Clark (19-9)
157: 29/26
Conner Harer (13-8)
165: 23/27
Anthony White (12-8) -OR-
Andrew Barbosa (6-3)
174: 27/26
Jackson Turley (13-8)
184: 17/16
Shane Cartagena-Walsh (17-9)
197: 18/18
John Poznanski (12-5) -OR-
PJ Casale (7-9)
HWT: 7/9
Yaraslau Slavikouski (13-5) -OR-
John O'Donnell (7-4)
Rankings Intermat/Flo
Michigan State (4-7, 0-6)
125: Caleb Weiand (9-11)
133: Andy Hampton (5-11)
141: Jaden Crumpler (5-14)
149 Clayton Jones III (6-9)
157: Braden Stauffenberg (4-12) -OR- Jack Conley (8-6)
165: Jay Nivison (9-12)
174: Ceasar Garza (12-10) -OR- Marty Larkin (12-7)
184: Luke Daly (11-11)
197: 26/28 Remy Cotton (11-8)
HWT: NR/33 Max Vanadia (13-13) -OR- Josh Terrill (7-5)
Rankings Intermat/Flo
- Rutgers defeated Maryland, 21-20, last Friday in College Park. Despite a five-five match split, the Scarlet Knights used three tech falls to secure their 10th consecutive victory over the Terrapins in Big Ten Conference action.
- No. 10 Dean Peterson (125), No. 17 John Poznanski (197) and Andrew Barbosa (165) all delivered tech falls, No. 19 Andrew Clark (149) added a ranked win to his resume, and No. 13 Joseph Olivieri (141) added a decision to help RU to its fourth Big Ten win of the season.
"Day in and day out, 365 days a year, we're trying to put butts in the seats, because there is nothing like an incredible home atmosphere at Jersey Mike's Arena." – Head coach
Scott Goodale buidling an elite home atmosphere.
- Rutgers remained No. 12 for the third consecutive week, the program's highest ranking since January 4, 2022. The Scarlet Knights are one of nine Big Ten programs ranked by the coaches this week, joining No. 1 Penn State, No. 3 Iowa, No. 5 Nebraska, No. 6 Minnesota, No. 8 Ohio State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 19 Michigan, and No. 21 Indiana.
- Ten individuals appear in at least one poll this week. No. 7 Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT), No. 9 Dean Peterson (125) and No. 10 Dylan Shawver (133) are all ranked within the top 10 of their respective weight classes by Intermat, while seven of RU's 10 starters own top-20 rankings.
- Rutgers leads Michigan State, 7-1-1, in the all-time series and is 6-1 in Big Ten Conference meetings.
- The Scarlet Knights defeated the Spartans, 22-13, on January 19, 2024 in East Lansing in their last meeting. Peterson, Shawver, Slavikouski, Michael Cetta (149), John Poznanski (197) and Jackson Turley (174) all worked wins in the dual, with Shawver and Poznanski winning by tech falls.
- Rutgers closes the regular season with Penn on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Jersey Mike's Arena. The dual is set for a 6 p.m. start and will stream on Big Ten Plus. The match serves as Senior Night, with the group honored prior to the dual.
