No. 14 Rutgers wrestling to finish regular season against Bloomsburg
The Rutgers wrestling team will face off against Bloomsburg on Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights (11-5, 4-4) will honor seven seniors on Senior Night in their home contest against the Huskies (4-15, 0-8).
Bloomsburg has struggled all season and remains winless in conference action. The Huskies have lost to Michigan State, Buffalo, Rider and Edinboro — all teams that No. 14 Rutgers has defeated this season.
Overall, the Knights are 6-7 against Bloomsburg but have won the last two matches. Last season, Rutgers earned a 45-0 shutout win over the Huskies and had nine bonus-point victories in the dual.
For this year's contest, the Knights may give some other wrestlers a chance to compete.
"Some guys will wrestle, some guys won't wrestle," said head coach Scott Goodale.
No. 8 junior 133-pounder Dylan Shawver is someone who will not wrestle on Wednesday. Redshirt junior 133-pounder Devon Britton will likely get his first dual-match start of the season.
"(Shawver) doesn't get a chance to wrestle, that's his last match because you're only allowed 16 bouts, so he won’t wrestle Wednesday. So, he'll start his preparation Sunday," Goodale said.
No. 25 junior 149-pounder Michael Cetta could match up against Cade Balestrini. Balestrini is 14-14 on the season and has landed one pin.
Junior 157-pounder Al DeSantis bounced back with a win last weekend. DeSantis will look for his seventh win of the season against William Morrow, his possible opponent.
Junior 165-pounder Anthony White will look to build off his win against Maryland, which ended a five-match dual losing streak. White will potentially take on Caden Dobbins, who is 14-11 this season.
Sophomore 133-pounder Brandan Chletsos could make his second dual start of the season at the 125- or 133-pound weight class. Chletsos would likely face off against Bronson Garber or Major Lewis.
No. 22 junior 197-pounder John Poznanski has missed the last two dual matches but may return against Bloomsburg. If Poznanski does not wrestle, Rutgers would look to freshman 197-pounder Hadyn Packer, sophomore 184-pounder Michael Toranzo or junior 197-pounder Niccolo Colucci to fill his spot.
The Knights have the opportunity to earn a strong win heading into the Big Ten Championships at the XFINITY Center in College Park, Maryland, on March 9 and 10. With wrestlers such as No. 20 junior 125-pounder Dean Peterson and No. 12 graduate student 285-pounder Yaraslau Slavikouski having strong records, Goodale may rest them against the Huskies to avoid injury and keep them fit for March.
Wednesday's dual will begin at 7 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston campus and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.
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