The inconsistencies, which Rutgers University wrestling coach Scott Goodale said his team had exhibited during the nonconference portion of his schedule, were evident Friday night in the Scarlet Knights’ 24-16 loss at Indiana University in their prelude to the Big Ten conference.
Indiana (6-1, 2-1) won six of their last seven fights, including a stunning pin in the third period at 165 pounds by Robert Kanniard’s Nick South in a fight Kanniard won, rebounding from a 10 point -deficit .
A 2-1 win by Nick Wilham over Billy Janzer at 197 pounds at the time of the drive gave Indiana the ultimate lead 19-16, and Hossier’s heavyweight Jacob Bullock defeated John O’Donnell by technical fall in the final bout for the win to win game.
O’Donnell took over from starter Boone McDermott, who didn’t weigh in. McDermott was injured in his fight with driver David Szuba last Sunday and had to retire after two periods of that fight.
South’s victory came when he rode Janzer for the first 1:04 of the second period and then escaped two seconds in the third period for a 1:02 lead in ride time.
KEY FIGHT
South turned the match on its head and put Rutgers (8-2, 0-1) in trouble with his pin.
Kanniard led 5-2 early in the third period when South brought him down and then quickly returned to his back at 1-18 to the left to hold the pin.
The pin gave Indiana its first lead of the night at 12-10.
The Hoosiers’ two-time NCAA qualifier DJ Washington (174) followed with a 14-5 major decision over 2021 NCAA 8th seed Jackson Turley to extend the Hoosiers’ lead to 16-10.
Washington took control of the fight with a takedown and four back points in the second period as he avenged a loss by technical fall to Turley in the 2021 NCAA Tournament Wrestlebacks.
SOLDANO BIG
Rutgers split the match 16-16 with more exploits from talented newcomer Brian Soldano.
As he wrestled with Clayton Fielden, it looked like Soldano was about to be thrown onto his back.
As is often the case when it looks like he’s in trouble, Soldano was able to turn the tide and throw Fielden onto his back, recording the 1:15 fall in the first third.
THE BEGINNING OF THE INDIANA RALLY
Rutgers won the first three fights and led 10-0 before wins by Graham Rooks (149) and Derek Gilcher (157) started Indiana’s rally.
Gilcher’s victory was 5-3 in the sudden No. 1 win period over Andrew Clark on a takedown at the top right edge of the mat, leaving 24 seconds in overtime.
Clark had usually sent the fight to sudden victory with a takedown with 17 seconds remaining. The takedown technically gave Clark a 3-2 lead, but Gilcher had already locked drive timing
A turn 16 seconds into the second period and a subsequent ride out had allowed Gilcher to go into the third period with a 2-0 lead.
Rooks (149) put the Hoosiers on the table with a 7-1 win over Anthony White. A takedown late in the second period followed by two back points put Rooks in control of the fight.
OLIVERI MAKES SOLID DUAL-MEET SEASON DEBUT
Joey Olivieri returned in style to the Scarlet Knights doubles lineup on Friday night.
A 141-pounder sophomore Olivieri dominated Cayden Rooks in a 15-2 major decision that gave Rutgers a 10-0 lead after three fights.
Olivieri wanted to wear the redshirt this season, but the redshirt was pulled after Sammy Alvarez failed to weigh in during last Sunday’s Rutgers match at Rider because Scarlet Knights head coach Scott Goodale said it was “discipline issues with his weight “. Alvarez then entered the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday.
It’s the second straight season that Olivieri has had his red shirt pulled over weight issues with Alvarez. Last season it happened at 133 pounds in early January. Olivieri went on to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Friday night, Olivieri put Rooks on his back twice in the first period to set six back points after making a quick takedown. The first came with a cradle. The second with a chin whip. He added one takedown in the second period and two more takedowns in the third.
PETERSON AND HEILMAN GET RUTGERS OFF TO A SOLID START
Redshirt freshman 125-pounder Dean Peterson and grad student Joe Heilmann (133) gave Rutgers a good start and a 6-0 with dominant performances in top wrestling.
Peterson defeated Jacob Moran 8-4. Heilmann recorded a 6-1 victory over Henry Porter.
After a quick takedown, Peterson rode Moran for the final 2:34 of the first period. He did so for the final 45 seconds of the second period after another takedown and for over a minute late in the fight after a reversal.
Heilmann rode out Porter in the second period, which included getting two stalling points. He also had one takedown in the first period.
More:Sammy Alvarez leaves Rutgers wrestling team and enters the transfer portal
More:Devon Britton and Robert Kanniard trigger Rutgers Wrestling to defeat Rider
INDIANA 24, RUTGERS 16
125: Dean Peterson (R) d. Jacob Moran 8-4.
133: Joe Heimann (R) d. Henry Porter 6-1
141: Joey Olivieri (R) md. Cayden Rook’s 15-2.
149: Graham Rooks (I) d. Anthony White 7-1
157: Derek Gilcher (I) d. Andrew Clark 5-3 (Sudden Victory Period #1).
165: Nick South (I) p. Robert Kannard 5:42
174: DJ Washington (I) md. Jackson Turley 14-5.
184: Brian Soldano (R) p. Clayton Fielden 1:45.
197: Nick Wilham (I) d. Billy Janzer 2-1
HWT: Jacob Bullock (I) tf. John O’Donnell (15-0).
