Pin party: No. 14 Rutgers wrestling ends regular season with one-sided victory over Bloomsburg
The Rutgers wrestling team finished its regular season with a 37-8 win against Bloomsburg on Wednesday night. The Scarlet Knights (12-5, 4-4) dominated the dual from start to finish and won 7 of their 9 bouts against the Huskies (4-16, 0-8).
Before the match, No. 14 Rutgers honored seven seniors for Senior Night.
No. 20 junior 125-pounder Dean Peterson started off the night with an 8-5 decision over Bronson Garber. Garber landed a third-period takedown to send the bout to sudden victory, but Peterson was able to secure his 11th win of the season.
Redshirt junior 133-pounder Devon Britton had his first dual start of the season and controlled his bout against Major Lewis. Britton landed the technical fall to put the Knights up 8-0.
Bloomsburg forfeited the 141-pound bout, giving freshman 125-pounder Max Hermes the victory and 6 more match points for Rutgers.
No. 25 junior 149-pounder Michael Cetta secured the 24-9 technical fall over Cade Balestrini. Cetta is now 13-8 on the season.
Junior 157-pounder Dylan Weaver was able to earn his first dual-match win of the season against William Morrow. Weaver sealed the 13-6 decision to give the Knights a 23-0 lead.
Sophomore 165-pounder Luke Gayer struggled against Caden Dobbins. Dobbins was able to land a technical fall and improve to a 15-10 overall record.
Rutgers would respond right away as No. 14 senior 174-pounder Jackson Turley secured a pin over Nolen Zeigler in the second period. Turley has now won back-to-back matches.
No. 21 sophomore 184-pounder Brian Soldano was able to match Turley with a pin of his own over Anthony DeRosa. Soldano has now landed three pins at Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston campus this season. The Knights led 34-5 with two bouts left.
Junior 197-pounder Niccolo Colucci was defeated 5-0 by Kolby Flank in his first dual match start of the season.
Junior 197-pounder Kyle Epperly wrestled at the heavyweight class and emerged victorious in his 8-3 decision against Tyler McCatharn. It was Epperly's first dual win of the season.
Rutgers finishes its season with a 12-5 overall record and a 4-4 record in conference play. The Knights were able to surpass 10 wins, which was their tally last season.
Rutgers will have some time off before it hits the road for the Big Ten Championships at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland, on March 9 and 10.
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