Wrestling Adds Three-Time NCAA Qualifier Hunter Catka
Apr 14 | Wrestling
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers wrestling continues to bolster its lineup, adding three-time NCAA qualifier Hunter Catka to its roster. A standout heavyweight at Virginia Tech, Catka will be immediately eligible for the Scarlet Knights next fall.
Catka joins three-time NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto (174) and 2025 NCAA qualifier Remy Cotton (197) as high-impact upper weight transfers for the program under head coach Scott Goodale.
A native of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, Catka produced 66 career victories for the Hokies during his time in Blacksburg. Catka qualified for the national tournament in 2021, 2023 and 2024, advancing to the Blood Round with three victories at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Kansas City, Missouri.
Catka went 17-8 in 2023-24, which included 12 victories by bonus and seven wins in dual action. Catka wrestled to a runner-up finish at the ACC Championships that season, earning the No. 26 seed at the NCAA Championships. Catka was also an ACC runner-up during his first varsity season in 2021.
A four-year letterwinner at Sun Valley High School under head coach Tom Ellis, Catka competed at 195 pounds, 220 pounds and 285 pounds during his high school career, finishing with 134 career wins. Catka closed his scholastic career as a two-time Pennsylvania state champion, earned a 2019 Beast of the East title and was a 2019 Super 32 champion. Catka was also a member of the 2019 Cadet World Team.
Catka joins a program that had seven national qualifiers and three Blood Round participants last month at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. Rutgers wrapped up the regular season No. 11 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll, marking the Scarlet Knights' highest finish in the rankings since they closed the 2015-16 campaign No. 10. It also signified the program's 13th top 25 final team ranking under Goodale.
Catka joins three-time NCAA qualifier Lenny Pinto (174) and 2025 NCAA qualifier Remy Cotton (197) as high-impact upper weight transfers for the program under head coach Scott Goodale.
A native of Brookhaven, Pennsylvania, Catka produced 66 career victories for the Hokies during his time in Blacksburg. Catka qualified for the national tournament in 2021, 2023 and 2024, advancing to the Blood Round with three victories at the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Kansas City, Missouri.
Catka went 17-8 in 2023-24, which included 12 victories by bonus and seven wins in dual action. Catka wrestled to a runner-up finish at the ACC Championships that season, earning the No. 26 seed at the NCAA Championships. Catka was also an ACC runner-up during his first varsity season in 2021.
A four-year letterwinner at Sun Valley High School under head coach Tom Ellis, Catka competed at 195 pounds, 220 pounds and 285 pounds during his high school career, finishing with 134 career wins. Catka closed his scholastic career as a two-time Pennsylvania state champion, earned a 2019 Beast of the East title and was a 2019 Super 32 champion. Catka was also a member of the 2019 Cadet World Team.
Catka joins a program that had seven national qualifiers and three Blood Round participants last month at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia. Rutgers wrapped up the regular season No. 11 in the final NWCA Coaches Poll, marking the Scarlet Knights' highest finish in the rankings since they closed the 2015-16 campaign No. 10. It also signified the program's 13th top 25 final team ranking under Goodale.
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