Rutgers Wrestling vs Lehigh / Updates and Results Thread
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Ashnault looked VERY SHARP in beating Randy Cruz, who he beat 3-2 in last years Round of 12 at the NCAAs (clinching AA's AA, lol)
When will people learn??? [cheers]
Great win. Thanks for all the updates since I am under the weather and could not make it. RU wrestling fans are most passionate of all RU sports.
I was following on the Twitter feed, and I was afraid to refresh the final one when it was in 2OT!! Heart was pounding and I was texting with a buddy of mine who went to Lehigh and follows wrestling closely. I was updating him since he was at his daughter's event, and I didn't want to find out Smith lost--and he didn't!!! We win!!!
From preview of today's match:
- Rutgers hosts Lehigh for the first time since a 17-16 thriller at the RAC on Jan. 18, 2013. The win was the first for the Scarlet Knights over the Mountain Hawks since 1950
Frickin Gravina!! That's how you attack a returning NCAA finalist!! He left it all out there!! Soooo close!!! I don't think Brown beat him.. I think he just outlasted him!!
Billy looks like he is feelin' it guys.. If he keeps it up he's going to get that elusive AA this year. As a heavy the way he's wrestling, if he could win over the MSG crowd the first couple sessions, it'll be a huge plus IMHO.
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jd,I actually think he got screwed on the stalling call.Brown was back peddling the entire 3rd period and looked exhausted.My friend,whose at the the match,text me that he overheard Brown tell Brad Dillon,that Gravina was strong and relentless.Now that says something.He's gonna be something special in the RU program for the next 2.5 years.
Must have been an exciting match to witness in person. Great win for the program. Feel really good for Billy Smith. Lots of performance to be encouraged about going into the conference tournament.
I thought he had him beat and was definitely in his head. At no point did Gravina back down and was the aggressor for most of the 3rd period.
BTW Creedo, Ashnault is back.
Rutgers wrestling team wins thriller over Lehigh | Rapid reaction
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2016/02/rutgers_wrestling_lehigh_rapid_reaction.html
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2016/02/rutgers_wrestling_lehigh_rapid_reaction.html
Truly an awesome night
Didn't think Billy had a shot.. The other guy was built like Mr America and was tossing him around pretty good at the start of the match
Way to really dig deep and pull it out
Didn't think Billy had a shot.. The other guy was built like Mr America and was tossing him around pretty good at the start of the match
Way to really dig deep and pull it out
jb,agree with you 110%.Ash wrestled cautious,but aggressive and sharp.Randy Cruz is AA material this year,and Ash embarrassed him.McCabe can't let that happen too him again.That was uncalled for and embarrassing.Same goes for Hyrmack.He can't have a kid he's split 2 matches with, beat him up like that.I know he's a good kid,but that doesn't get you very far in wrestling. Ritchie Lewis and Perrotti wrestled good,but not their best.Lewis looked a little off tonight.Might be a little worn out.This change of weather can do that too you. Perrotti looked like he was in left field today.Thats the AP I don't want too see.Hats off too Dippery for beating Gardener like that.Didn't Gardener beat him the last time they met?
I think Gardner got the fall in their last match. I was ok with Perroti's match. That kid is no slouch and he handled him the first half, but ended cautious which I don't like. Lewis did a few Houdini moves to keep the win.
Tyson gets the MVP.
I'm off to pour a drink now. Looking forward to a good time at MSG.
Tyson beat Ian Brown who I feel is better than Gardner. Brown is 22-7 this year and one tough kid. I agree that Tyson was the MVP. Great night and crowd was on fire. Really into it.
Correct. That match shows how important getting that initial takedown and ride out is. Still miffed about Gravina. Hell of a performance. For a second I thought he was gonna pull it off. If Gravina is healthy, he can make a run in March.
So was I.....Smith beat fmr North Hunterdon star Jack Delia in that match... Which was a rematch of their State final from high school in 2011...
Ok so after a night to sleep on it, here's my recap...
125...Dual season couldn't end fast enough for McCabe....He's done some really nice things this year... But he is definitly in a downswing right now...2 weeks to recharge the batteries, and get his focus back is needed right now....What we saw last night, was definitly not the same wrestler from earlier this year...
133...Patrick did his job...which was don't get teched or pinned vs a 2 time all american...saved 2 team points there...Think Giraldo is another one who needs a lil breather right now to get ready for B1G's.....
141...Now that's the Ash we needed to see this past week...Majoring Sabatello, and nearly majoring Cruz.... Setting the tone for the postseason.....Think mentally and physically he is ready to make a run at both!!
149... Dippery making strides this year, is wrestling his best at the right time...Hopefully can sneak into NCAA's....He can turn people, which can really payoff here!!
157...Not the best Lewis match...But good wrestlers lose those matches...Better wrestlers still win by 5 when not having their A game....Love his aggression....another one that can make a deep run!!
165...Perrotti...He's left it all on the mat this year!! Really excited to see him make one last deep run!! Going to miss seeing him out there next year....His remarkable run 2 years ago, really helped transform this program!!!
174...Bakuckas... Kid is better on his feet than he gives himself credit for...Hoping he can be aggressive, and find his offense at B1G's...If he can, he can qualify for NCAA's....
184...Gravina.... what can I say here...hmmmmm...oh yeah, we have 2 more years of this kid!!! He is mean, and nasty on the mat..Very punishing wrestler!! Just ask Brown after last night!! You think that kid wants to see Gravina across from him again? I just love watching this kid wrestle!! He just doesn't care who he is wrestling...He goes out there and gets after it every time...I think he may be the most improved wrestler on the team this year...
197... Hrymack...Like McCabe, hitting a late season swoon...Hopefully the 2 weeks can get him refocused, as this is it for him...If he can find that "Midlands magic" than maybe he sneaks into NCAA's....
285...Smith....Glad to see him get redemption for his last match at the RAC...2 evenly matched guys last night, and it showed... Has to really step it up at B1G's as I'm not sure Coon will have enough matches to get auto slot at B1G's...Snyder will be another who takes a slot....So there will be at least 1, maybe 2 less auto qualifying slots then there should be....Hopefully he can have a good showing at B1G's, and not leave it to getting a wildcard..
Overall...what does it say about the season when we beat #7 Lehigh, and that's not even the marquee win on the season!!! 7 wins vs.top 25 teams....Goodale and co. have this team moving in the right direction... B1G time!! Really looking forward to B1G's, as i really believe we should get 7 guys thru to NCAA's...Possibly 8.....Should be some very intriguing matchups at B1G's....can't wait!!
125...Dual season couldn't end fast enough for McCabe....He's done some really nice things this year... But he is definitly in a downswing right now...2 weeks to recharge the batteries, and get his focus back is needed right now....What we saw last night, was definitly not the same wrestler from earlier this year...
133...Patrick did his job...which was don't get teched or pinned vs a 2 time all american...saved 2 team points there...Think Giraldo is another one who needs a lil breather right now to get ready for B1G's.....
141...Now that's the Ash we needed to see this past week...Majoring Sabatello, and nearly majoring Cruz.... Setting the tone for the postseason.....Think mentally and physically he is ready to make a run at both!!
149... Dippery making strides this year, is wrestling his best at the right time...Hopefully can sneak into NCAA's....He can turn people, which can really payoff here!!
157...Not the best Lewis match...But good wrestlers lose those matches...Better wrestlers still win by 5 when not having their A game....Love his aggression....another one that can make a deep run!!
165...Perrotti...He's left it all on the mat this year!! Really excited to see him make one last deep run!! Going to miss seeing him out there next year....His remarkable run 2 years ago, really helped transform this program!!!
174...Bakuckas... Kid is better on his feet than he gives himself credit for...Hoping he can be aggressive, and find his offense at B1G's...If he can, he can qualify for NCAA's....
184...Gravina.... what can I say here...hmmmmm...oh yeah, we have 2 more years of this kid!!! He is mean, and nasty on the mat..Very punishing wrestler!! Just ask Brown after last night!! You think that kid wants to see Gravina across from him again? I just love watching this kid wrestle!! He just doesn't care who he is wrestling...He goes out there and gets after it every time...I think he may be the most improved wrestler on the team this year...
197... Hrymack...Like McCabe, hitting a late season swoon...Hopefully the 2 weeks can get him refocused, as this is it for him...If he can find that "Midlands magic" than maybe he sneaks into NCAA's....
285...Smith....Glad to see him get redemption for his last match at the RAC...2 evenly matched guys last night, and it showed... Has to really step it up at B1G's as I'm not sure Coon will have enough matches to get auto slot at B1G's...Snyder will be another who takes a slot....So there will be at least 1, maybe 2 less auto qualifying slots then there should be....Hopefully he can have a good showing at B1G's, and not leave it to getting a wildcard..
Overall...what does it say about the season when we beat #7 Lehigh, and that's not even the marquee win on the season!!! 7 wins vs.top 25 teams....Goodale and co. have this team moving in the right direction... B1G time!! Really looking forward to B1G's, as i really believe we should get 7 guys thru to NCAA's...Possibly 8.....Should be some very intriguing matchups at B1G's....can't wait!!
Nice recap. Dippery's late season run is probably most surprising to me. Phil also looking better after a lot of close loses during the year. Can't believe Smith is in jeopardy of getting squeezed out of an NCAA bid. Seems like the inquiries above about why no Giraldo last night remain unanswered. Assuming injury not weight.
