"Does Rutgers wrestling have another national championship contender?"

[Tango Two]

Since 141-pounder Anthony Ashnault entered the Rutgers wrestling program two years ago, the team's coaches consistently have touted his potential to contend for a national championship.

Now, the name of another Scarlet Knights grappler is being mentioned in the potential title mix: Richie Lewis.

"Right now, he's right on target to be top three in the NCAA," Rutgers associate head coach Donny Pritzlaff said


http://www.nj.com/rutgers/index.ssf..._another_national_championship_contender.html

 

[PhilaPhans]

I'd probably put him third behind our two returning AAs in terms of possibility to AA.

Then Billy, Gravina, and Giraldo.

 

[dollarbill]

It may sound basic, but he just knows how to win. $$$$

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Perrotti is looking in great form and I expect a repeat AA this year.

After AP, I would say Lewis is the 2nd most likely to AA, just because I don't know what is going on with Ash. If Ash is back to himself by the tournament, he will contend for top 4, but he hasn't been the same since the Kolodzik loss at midlands (or before that?).

Giraldo may not get it done this year, but as he matures and gets his strength and conditioning up, he is going to be a force. Kid is really, really good and has potential to become a high AA. Even this year, if he draws the rights seeds and gets a little lucky, he will be on the podium. Everyone was on notice when he took Brewer down 3x earlier this year.

With Billy the seedings will be everything.

With Gravina, it will come down to if his shoulder can hold up through the Big Tens and then the NCAAs more than anything else. Gravina is a mean mean mofo. I wish more of our guys were as mean as he is. He can beat anyone because of it.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Giraldo may not get it done this year, but as he matures and gets his strength and conditioning up, he is going to be a force. Kid is really, really good and has potential to become a high AA. Even this year, if he draws the rights seeds and gets a little lucky, he will be on the podium. Everyone was on notice when he took Brewer down 3x earlier this year.

What scares me about Giraldo isn't his ability to wrestle against the top guys ... it's his penchant for getting stuck on a move and pinned. While I'll put him up against a ton of AA-level talent, can he make it far enough through the B1G Tourney and a couple rounds of Nationals without getting caught (if that makes sense)?

 

[R U Crazy]

AA is my 1st choice for an all American (I am thinking 5th through 8th)

AP scares me. He seems to have a WTF match quite often.
He seems to be more consistent this year (I wish he would concentrate on getting 1 from the bottom instead of always going for 2)
I think he will get to round of 16 and depending on matchup gets an all american

Richie Lewis has a motor. I think he will have a very similar route to AP.
Round of 16 with a chance to AA
I think his round of 16 opponent will be harder than AP's but he can still get there.
Not sure Gravina can wrestle a whole tourney, but look for him to possibly getting to the round of 16 as well
Billy Smith and Giraldo out in round of 32 (Giraldo does not have gas tank...is he sucking too much weight)
McCabe go 1-2
So my guess would be 3 or 4 wrestlers in the round of 16
1 or 2 All Americans

Team needs at least 1 AA to keep momentum, 2 would be nice.
To borrow an old RU football quote, keep choppin


PS: I really know nothing about wrestling except what I watch online. I try to learn some things form the knowledgeable posters here, but still coming up to speed.
.

 

[wngarbarini]

Remember before the season when I told everyone after being at practice a few times that Lewis was a beast and would win over 20 bouts this year. Well he is 18-3 and heade upward.

 

[rufeelinit]

Perrotti is looking in great form and I expect a repeat AA this year.

After AP, I would say Lewis is the 2nd most likely to AA, just because I don't know what is going on with Ash. If Ash is back to himself by the tournament, he will contend for top 4, but he hasn't been the same since the Kolodzik loss at midlands (or before that?).

Giraldo may not get it done this year, but as he matures and gets his strength and conditioning up, he is going to be a force. Kid is really, really good and has potential to become a high AA. Even this year, if he draws the rights seeds and gets a little lucky, he will be on the podium. Everyone was on notice when he took Brewer down 3x earlier this year.

With Billy the seedings will be everything.

With Gravina, it will come down to if his shoulder can hold up through the Big Tens and then the NCAAs more than anything else. Gravina is a mean mean mofo. I wish more of our guys were as mean as he is. He can beat anyone because of it.

How did AP look Friday night against Wisconsin ? I know he lost 4-0 but I thought it was not considered a good performance against a strong opponent? I wouldn't bet against Lewis but top 3?

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

How did AP look Friday night against Wisconsin ? I know he lost 4-0 but I thought it was not considered a good performance against a strong opponent? I wouldn't bet against Lewis but top 3?

Who do you think on our roster is more likely to AA than Richie Lewis?

I say he is 2nd most likely, primarily because I don't know what is going on with Ash. If Ash gets back into good form/healthy/whatever is going on with him, he is obviously our best wrestler.

On Perrotti, it was a frustrating loss on Friday for sure, but I am not going to be too hard on him losing to Isaac Jordan. Kid is a beast. Will be a 4 time AA, and beat Bo Jordan last year to win the Big Tens at 165 as a Soph. Ringer, Bo and Isaac are a class above everyone else at 165.

 

[RUCreedo]

What do they say? Anyone can loose on any given day.With that said,here's my view.
McCabe:No shot at AA.I would say he should feel blessed too get an NCAA bid.Maybe he can squeak out a 1 or 2 wins
Giraldo:If his head is on straight,he's got one of the best shots on the team too AA.If he keeps thinking he's on the Jersey Shore,getting ready too sunbath,the last minute of his matches,Mr Giraldo is going to go home very quickly.
Ashnault: As of right now,in his present mind set and condition..not a shot too AA.BUT! if he comes too his earlier year form,he's got every shot too be a top 5 placer.
Dippery: Probably the least likely to even make it to NCAA tournament.His run this season ends at the Big 10's.He's just not strong enough too hang with the Top 20 competition.
Lewis: If Richie keeps focused and doesn't doubt himself or his abilities,he's got just as good a shot as anyone too AA.
Perrotti: Like I've said in the past..are we going too see The AP that tossed Ramos from UNC around like a flat screen TV in WalMart on Black Friday,or are we going to see the AP that lays on the mat looking too find cloud shapes in the fibers of the mat?
Backucas: No shot at AA'ing.Phil,like Dippery,better steal some holy water from church and dose on his head for a prayer that he gets wildcard.
Gravina: If Nick is almost 90% healthy,and his mindset ready,He's got every shot too qualify for NCAA's and win a couple of rounds.I think he could make a nice run in the wrestlebacks.
Hyrmack:I tell ya,I think Haydens gonna go out with a bang and beat some highly ranked kid.I think he's got a great chance at the NCAA tournament.There,I think he may win a round,but thats about it.Ya never know though,he's so friggin unpredictable,I wouldn't be surprised if he made it to the NCAA quarters.
Smith: Not a shot at AA'ing.Coon basically summed Billy's career up in a nuttshell.Billy can beat 15-20 ranked competition all day long.With his mental block,he's gonna run into highly seeded Coon type,and get mauled.There,in the wrestlebacks,he'll freeze again,and thats the end of BS career.Sorry too sound harsh,but if anyone can prove me wrong,please do so.