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Wrestling Recruits

To be honest with you I dont follow closely enough to know much, if anything about our recruits hence the question. From coming to the wrestling board once in a blue moon all I can gather is that we are thin at the upper weights and it seems many of the comments regarding recruits seem to center on depth.
Ok, my bad. Intermat ranked our 2015 recruiting class 20th (9th in B1G): http://www.intermatwrestle.com/articles/14444. 2015 recruits coming here:
  • Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro, NJ 149/157 lbs (#30 ranked by Intermat)(1st @ 138 in 2014 NJ states & 2nd @ 132 in 2013; injured for 2014/15 season)
  • Kyle Kremiller, Perry, OH 197 lbs (NR)(1st @ 195 in 2015 OH D2 states & 4th @ 195 in 2014)
  • Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic, NJ 125/133 lbs (NR)(7th @ 126 in 2015 NJ states, 6th @ 126 in 2014, 7th @ 120 in 2013)
  • William Povalac, Edison, NJ 149 lbs (NR)(4th @ 145 in 2015 NJ states & 5th @ 138 in 2014)
  • Willie Scott, Brick, NJ 165 lbs (NR)(6th @ 160 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Sam Cali, Don Bosco Prep, NJ 133/141 lbs (NR)(3rd @ 132 in 2015 NJ state)
  • Luis Gonzalez, Don Bosco Prep, NJ & USMA Prep, NY 125/133 lbs (5th @ 120 in 2014 NJ states & 1st @ 113 in 2013)
  • Tom Docherty, John Jay, NY 141 lbs (NR)(DNP in NY states)

Missing on McFadden (165/174 lbs) (#12 ranked by Intermat), who practically lived here & then chose VT, was a huge loss. It appears that we also landed some transfers: Lewis @ 157/165 who finished 3rd in JUCO nationals @ 157 (IIRC he finished 3rd @ 138 in 2013 NJ states in Ashnault's bracket) & Jordan Pagano @ 165/174 from PSU (4th @ 160 in 2014 NJ states). We really need a big talent infusion at the heavier weights. We're getting more talent for depth in the room, but to compete in the B1G & have more All-Americans in March, we need to land multiple elite state champs like Ashnault in each class & we haven't yet. To emphasize this point, from the link regarding national champ tOSU:

"The high school accomplishments of this lineup were abundant; each was at least a multiple-time state champion. The ten wrestlers combined for 31 state titles (or in the case of Kyle Snyder, National Prep championships), including four that were four-time state champions."

Other than McFadden, we weren't really in it for most of the other top 2015 recruits in NJ, which as usual was very talented (rankings are from Intermat): #9 Kolodzik 149 from Blair went to Princeton, #21 Kutler 149/157 from Blair went to Lehigh, #33 Chakonis 285 from Don Bosco Prep went to Northwestern, #66 Sutton 197 had to go JUCO at Nassau, #49 Cefolo 125 from Hanover Park went to South Dakota State, #74 Ugalde from Bound Brook 165/174 went to Maryland, #80 Tucker 133/141 from Blair went to Cornell, NR Darcy 125/133 from Holy Spirit went to Princeton, NR Colucci 197/285 from St. Peters Prep went to Lehigh. Most of these guys (if not all) won a state title or prep title at least once.

As for the 2016 class, we have commitments from:

  • Alex Mackall, Walsh Jesuit, OH 125/133 lbs (2nd @ 120 in 2015 OH D1 states, 1st @ 120 in 2014 OH D1 states & beat Yanni Diakomihalis at Journeymen but lost to Suriano 3-0)
  • Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg, NJ 125 lbs (2nd @ 106 in 2014 NJ states & 5th in 2013; injured 2014/15 season)
  • Mike Van Brill, Clearview, NJ 133/141 lbs (5th @ 132 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Brett Donner, 165 lbs (3rd @ 160 2014 NJ states)
This is a nice start. We need to double our budget ASAP.
 
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Ok, my bad. Intermat ranked our 2015 recruiting class 20th (9th in B1G): http://www.intermatwrestle.com/articles/14444. 2015 recruits coming here:
  • Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro, NJ 149/157 lbs (#30 ranked by Intermat)(1st @ 138 in 2014 NJ states & 2nd @ 132 in 2013; injured for 2014/15 season)
  • Kyle Kremiller, Perry, OH 197 lbs (NR)(4th @ 195 in OH D2 states)
  • Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic, NJ 125/133 lbs (NR)(7th @ 126 in 2015 NJ states, 6th @ 126 in 2014, 7th @ 120 in 2013)
  • William Povalac, Edison, NJ 149 lbs (NR)(4th @ 145 in 2015 NJ states & 5th @ 138 in 2014)
  • Willie Scott, Brick, NJ 165 lbs (NR)(6th @ 160 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Sam Cali, Don Bosco Prep, NJ 133/141 lbs (NR)(3rd @ 132 in 2015 NJ state)
  • Luis Gonzalez, Don Bosco Prep, NJ & USMA Prep, NY 125/133 lbs (5th @ 120 in 2014 NJ states & 1st @ 113 in 2013; 3rd)
  • Tom Docherty, John Jay, NY 141 lbs (NR)(DNP in NY states)

Missing on McFadden (165/174 lbs) (#12 ranked by Intermat), who practically lived here & then chose VT, was a huge loss. It appears that we also landed some transfers: Lewis @ 157/165 who finished 3rd in JUCO nationals @ 157 (IIRC he finished 3rd @ 138 in 2013 NJ states in Ashnault's bracket) & Jordan Pagano @ 165/174 from PSU (4th @ 160 in 2014 NJ states). We really need a big talent infusion at the heavier weights. We're getting more talent for depth in the room, but to compete in the B1G & have more All-Americans in March, we need to land multiple elite state champs like Ashnault in each class & we haven't yet. To emphasize this point, from the link regarding national champ tOSU:

"The high school accomplishments of this lineup were abundant; each was at least a multiple-time state champion. The ten wrestlers combined for 31 state titles (or in the case of Kyle Snyder, National Prep championships), including four that were four-time state champions."

Other than McFadden, we weren't really in it for most of the other top 2015 recruits in NJ, which as usual was very talented (rankings are from Intermat): #9 Kolodzik 149 from Blair went to Princeton, #21 Kutler 149/157 from Blair went to Lehigh, #33 Chakonis 285 from Don Bosco Prep went to Northwestern, #66 Sutton 197 had to go JUCO at Nassau, #49 Cefolo 125 from Hanover Park went to South Dakota State, #74 Ugalde from Bound Brook 165/174 went to Maryland, #80 Tucker 133/141 from Blair went to Cornell, NR Darcy 125/133 from Holy Spirit went to Princeton, NR Colucci 197/285 from St. Peters Prep went to Lehigh. Most of these guys (if not all) won a state title or prep title at least once.

As for the 2016 class, we have commitments from:

  • Alex Mackall, Walsh Jesuit, OH 125/133 lbs (1st @ 120 in 2015 OH D1 states & beat Yanni Diakomihalis at Journeymen but lost to Suriano 3-0)
  • Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg, NJ 125 lbs (2nd @ 106 in 2014 NJ states & 5th in 2013; injured 2014/15 season)
  • Mike Van Brill, Clearview, NJ 133/141 lbs (5th @ 132 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Brett Donner, 165 lbs (3rd @ 160 2014 NJ states)
This is a nice start. We need to double our budget ASAP.


Good Job Leonard, I would only add that Kremiller was a State Champ this past season, not sure if that 4th was his junior year.
 
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I believe kremiller won the states this year. But agreed RU needs more money. This program can rise very quickly with an influx of money.
 
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Good Job Leonard, I would only add that Kremiller was a State Champ this past season, not sure if that 4th was his junior year.
Thanks. I fixed it to add 1st in 2015 & 4th in 2014. I also corrected Mackall who was 2nd in 2015 & 1st in 2014.
 
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I believe kremiller won the states this year. But agreed RU needs more money. This program can rise very quickly with an influx of money.
I fixed it to add 1st in 2015 & 4th in 2014. I also corrected Mackall who was 2nd in 2015 & 1st in 2014.
 
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Know thinking RU really needs to address HWT. They have no one. Even if you they get a highly ranked kid this cycle, there is no way you throw him out as a true fresh. Does anyone have a 5th year senior who might transfer?
 
Looks like Lucky Shaut has gone back home to Ohio, so that is one less on the roster. Had a rough year going 2-11 last year in his freshman year.
 
Ok, my bad. Intermat ranked our 2015 recruiting class 20th (9th in B1G): http://www.intermatwrestle.com/articles/14444. 2015 recruits coming here:
  • Ronnie Gentile, Paulsboro, NJ 149/157 lbs (#30 ranked by Intermat)(1st @ 138 in 2014 NJ states & 2nd @ 132 in 2013; injured for 2014/15 season)
  • Kyle Kremiller, Perry, OH 197 lbs (NR)(1st @ 195 in 2015 OH D2 states & 4th @ 195 in 2014)
  • Peter Lipari, Bergen Catholic, NJ 125/133 lbs (NR)(7th @ 126 in 2015 NJ states, 6th @ 126 in 2014, 7th @ 120 in 2013)
  • William Povalac, Edison, NJ 149 lbs (NR)(4th @ 145 in 2015 NJ states & 5th @ 138 in 2014)
  • Willie Scott, Brick, NJ 165 lbs (NR)(6th @ 160 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Sam Cali, Don Bosco Prep, NJ 133/141 lbs (NR)(3rd @ 132 in 2015 NJ state)
  • Luis Gonzalez, Don Bosco Prep, NJ & USMA Prep, NY 125/133 lbs (5th @ 120 in 2014 NJ states & 1st @ 113 in 2013)
  • Tom Docherty, John Jay, NY 141 lbs (NR)(DNP in NY states)

Missing on McFadden (165/174 lbs) (#12 ranked by Intermat), who practically lived here & then chose VT, was a huge loss. It appears that we also landed some transfers: Lewis @ 157/165 who finished 3rd in JUCO nationals @ 157 (IIRC he finished 3rd @ 138 in 2013 NJ states in Ashnault's bracket) & Jordan Pagano @ 165/174 from PSU (4th @ 160 in 2014 NJ states). We really need a big talent infusion at the heavier weights. We're getting more talent for depth in the room, but to compete in the B1G & have more All-Americans in March, we need to land multiple elite state champs like Ashnault in each class & we haven't yet. To emphasize this point, from the link regarding national champ tOSU:

"The high school accomplishments of this lineup were abundant; each was at least a multiple-time state champion. The ten wrestlers combined for 31 state titles (or in the case of Kyle Snyder, National Prep championships), including four that were four-time state champions."

Other than McFadden, we weren't really in it for most of the other top 2015 recruits in NJ, which as usual was very talented (rankings are from Intermat): #9 Kolodzik 149 from Blair went to Princeton, #21 Kutler 149/157 from Blair went to Lehigh, #33 Chakonis 285 from Don Bosco Prep went to Northwestern, #66 Sutton 197 had to go JUCO at Nassau, #49 Cefolo 125 from Hanover Park went to South Dakota State, #74 Ugalde from Bound Brook 165/174 went to Maryland, #80 Tucker 133/141 from Blair went to Cornell, NR Darcy 125/133 from Holy Spirit went to Princeton, NR Colucci 197/285 from St. Peters Prep went to Lehigh. Most of these guys (if not all) won a state title or prep title at least once.

As for the 2016 class, we have commitments from:

  • Alex Mackall, Walsh Jesuit, OH 125/133 lbs (2nd @ 120 in 2015 OH D1 states, 1st @ 120 in 2014 OH D1 states & beat Yanni Diakomihalis at Journeymen but lost to Suriano 3-0)
  • Brandon Paetzell, Phillipsburg, NJ 125 lbs (2nd @ 106 in 2014 NJ states & 5th in 2013; injured 2014/15 season)
  • Mike Van Brill, Clearview, NJ 133/141 lbs (5th @ 132 in 2015 NJ states)
  • Brett Donner, 165 lbs (3rd @ 160 2014 NJ states)
This is a nice start. We need to double our budget ASAP.
Nice write up. Thanks. Hopefully money is forthcoming as is some help at the upper weights but that sounds like it may be a half dozen years before we elbow our way into the elites of the conference.
 
As for HWT, don't we have that football player - Razohnn Gross? Goodall needs to recruit him to wrestle for us. He's not seeing much field in football, but will be a star here in wrestling.
 
As for HWT, don't we have that football player - Razohnn Gross? Goodall needs to recruit him to wrestle for us. He's not seeing much field in football, but will be a star here in wrestling.
Not a bad idea but he hasn't wrestled in over 2 years, so this year would be strictly getting back in wrestling condition & open tourneys, which is fine as Smith has 1 year left anyway. I wonder if he'd even be interested at this point, if Flood allowed it. He'd have 3 years of eligibility left. Anyone know if Goodale is interested or has put out feelers or spoken with Flood about it?
 
A few things about Razhonn Gross. He is currently listed on the Football roster as weighing 220 pounds, so not sure if he is even big enough to wrestle Heavy. Another thing, most years RU football makes a Bowl game, and usually they practice 15 days for the Bowl and the game is the last week of Dec, so Gross really wouldn't have any serious practice til January. Then they have spring practice in April, so in reality , Gross would have very few months or even weeks to have wrestling practice . Not a bad idea, but a lot of obstacles, and probably too small for Heavy anyway.
 
A few things about Razhonn Gross. He is currently listed on the Football roster as weighing 220 pounds, so not sure if he is even big enough to wrestle Heavy. Another thing, most years RU football makes a Bowl game, and usually they practice 15 days for the Bowl and the game is the last week of Dec, so Gross really wouldn't have any serious practice til January. Then they have spring practice in April, so in reality , Gross would have very few months or even weeks to have wrestling practice . Not a bad idea, but a lot of obstacles, and probably too small for Heavy anyway.


I believe the Defensive End from Maryland Wrestled Heavyweight last year and was successful, so it can be done. Does any one know if there were any others that wrestled and played football?
 
I believe the Defensive End from Maryland Wrestled Heavyweight last year and was successful, so it can be done. Does any one know if there were any others that wrestled and played football?
Spencer Myers did it the other way though. He was a 5th year senior who has spent 4 years in the wrestling room and went out for the football team because they offered him a full scholarship.

yes it absolutely can be done but it is very rare and usually not an athlete getting back into wrestling after taking many years off.

Stephen Neal famously won a world championship and then tried out for New England Patriots and ended up winning a Super Bowl.
 
Gentile ha the surgery on his shoulder and will be there this fall. With Lewis at 157 we should not need him this year anyway so better he red shirts
 
Way back Lee Getz played football and wrestled at HWT. If I remember correctly he made AA in wrestling. Played for Jets in the pros.
 
Suriano was on campus today for a visit. You can't get these kids if they are not on campus for visits. Let's hope!

Agree Bill have to at the very least get these elite kids to visit. A lot of top programs are counting on him being in their lineup so it would be a great get for us.
 
I would put Nebraska high on the list.
Really? Because of Burroughs? Interesting.

I'm surprised that tOSU isn't in the pic more.

Also, I wonder if TTFP backs off with Lee the following year.
 
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With Graff, Ash etc he would have plenty of work out partners.

will be tough though, as Suriano will have his pick of schools.
 
The last 2 studs from Bergen Catholic ( HS AA) Johnny Sebastian and recently Heavy Zach Chakonis both picked Northwestern. No inside info, but one would think NW has to be a contender along with Penn St, Ohio St, Iowa etc etc.
But damn, if he should picked RU that would make the wrestling world take notice !
 
it's time for us to get one or two studs like suriano to commit to Rutgers on an annual basis. we are fully funded, in b1g, located in hotbed of wrestling in nj, great education and location near all major corporations - no more excuses - just get it done!
 
Think penn state wants them both haha
Really? 1 year apart & possibly same weight. Do they want Fix too...
1/100 what is TTFP? Penn St?
TTFP=PSU

What's the 1/100 mean?
The last 2 studs from Bergen Catholic ( HS AA) Johnny Sebastian and recently Heavy Zach Chakonis both picked Northwestern. No inside info, but one would think NW has to be a contender along with Penn St, Ohio St, Iowa etc etc.
But damn, if he should picked RU that would make the wrestling world take notice !
I don't think NW is in it as much as others. He isn't tight with those 2 so it likely won't be a factor.
it's time for us to get one or two studs like suriano to commit to Rutgers on an annual basis. we are fully funded, in b1g, located in hotbed of wrestling in nj, great education and location near all major corporations - no more excuses - just get it done!
I don't think we're fully funded with OOS schollies, which is a problem, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. Also, unless & until we get a bunch more $ to add multiple coaches/RTC wrestlers, it'll be tough going. We also need a bigger wrestling room, which hopefully will come in the new basketball facility on the parking deck on Livi. Ultimately, we need ~$500,000-$700,000 more funding each year, which at the high end would double our budget.
 
The last 2 studs from Bergen Catholic ( HS AA) Johnny Sebastian and recently Heavy Zach Chakonis both picked Northwestern. No inside info, but one would think NW has to be a contender along with Penn St, Ohio St, Iowa etc etc.
But damn, if he should picked RU that would make the wrestling world take notice !

Chakonis not from Bergen Catholic.
 
"Im excited to announce that I am joining the Rutgers Scarlet Knight Wrestling Club as a resident athlete. Can't wait to chase Olympic dreams." ZiadHaddad 2x NCAA D2 champ 3x AA 285 pounder.
 
Awesome news. Looks like the Wrestling Coaches Fund is starting to pay off. If there is anyone here who wants to contribute to that fund, I would strongly encourage you to reach out to the school. Basically, we were trying to raise $80,000 to bring in more resident athletes to train with our guys. This is one of the most important things for getting us up to the top level. The best schools have loads of talent in the room on a regular basis. It will help our guys improve, and help the coaches to recruit better. At this level, the wrestlers know you cannot get it done on your own...you need to be going up against the best on a daily basis..
 
Awesome news. Looks like the Wrestling Coaches Fund is starting to pay off. If there is anyone here who wants to contribute to that fund, I would strongly encourage you to reach out to the school. Basically, we were trying to raise $80,000 to bring in more resident athletes to train with our guys. This is one of the most important things for getting us up to the top level. The best schools have loads of talent in the room on a regular basis. It will help our guys improve, and help the coaches to recruit better. At this level, the wrestlers know you cannot get it done on your own...you need to be going up against the best on a daily basis..

I also encourage every board member to pledge at least $1 for next seasons pin pool. The money raised goes straight to the Scarlet Knights Wrestling Club. I honestly think if we had the war chest, we could make bigger strides on the recruiting front than the football or basketball programs.
 
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Regarding contributions to the Coaches Fund to bring in coaches for SKWC, all donations to this fund count toward priority points.
 
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