LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University Wrestling Head Coach
John Hangey has announced his team's 2018-19 schedule. The docket includes seven home dual matches, including visits from Iowa State (Jan. 17) and Maryland (Feb. 24). In addition, the Broncs will wrestle in-state foes Rutgers and Princeton on the road on Dec. 16 and 20, respectively, and travel to Minnesota on Feb. 21.
"Our schedule is once again very challenging, highlighted with three Big Ten dual meets, the Southern Scuffle and hosting Iowa State from the Big 12," said Hangey. "We want to provide our student-athletes the opportunities to wrestle the best individuals and teams in the country to ensure they are prepared for the EWL and NCAA Championships in March. We are excited for the upcoming season as we will field a young, talented team that is bolstered by the #22 nationally ranked recruiting class (Intermat)."
FloWrestling ranks the Broncs second in the EWL this preseason, with returning NCAA Qualifier
Dean Sherry ranked No. 1 at 174.
2018-19 Schedule
Princeton Open
Sunday, Nov. 4 – 9 a.m.
Jadwin Gymnasium – Princeton, NJ
Keystone Classic
Sunday, Nov. 18 – 10 a.m.
The Palestra – Philadelphia, PA
Penn
Thursday, Nov. 29 – 7 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 9-8 (2-3 Ivy League)
Of Note: The Quakers graduated four National Qualifiers in Frank Mattiace, May Bethea, Joe Heyob and Joe Velliquette. Rider has won four-straight duals with Penn.
Rutgers
Sunday, Dec. 16 – 1 p.m.
Rutgers Athletic Center – Piscataway, NJ
2017-18 Record – 8-7 (3-6 Big 10)
Of Note: Rutgers returns four wrestlers ranked in the Top 12 of their weight classes by FloWrestling, including Nick Suriano (125), Anthony Ashnault (149), John Van Brill (157) and Nicholas Gravina (184). Suriano defeated
J.R. Wert at NCAA's last season. Rutgers and Rider last met in a dual match in 2012-13.
Princeton
Thursday, Dec. 20 – 7 p.m.
Dillon Gymnasium – Princeton, NJ
2017-18 Record – 4-9 (3-2 Ivy League)
Of Note: Princeton returns three of its four NCAA Qualifiers from a year ago, including Matthew Kolodzik (149), Mike D'Angelo (157) and Patrick Brucki (197). Rider holds a 17-4 edge in the all-time series with Princeton, including wins in each of the last 17 matches dating back to 1986-87.
Southern Scuffle
Tuesday/Wednesday, Jan. 1-2 – 9 a.m.
McKenzie Arena – Chattanooga, TN
Cleveland State*
Friday, Jan. 11 – 2 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 3-10 (1-5 EWL)
Of Note: The Vikings return National Qualifier and EWL Champion Evan Cheek (141). The Broncs have won the last three matches with Cleveland State, which will feature new Head Coach Josh Moore in 2018-19.
Drexel
Friday, Jan. 11 – 7 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 12-4 (6-4 EIWA)
Of Note: The Broncs and Dragons have split their last six dual matches, with the home team winning each time. Rider led last year's match, 14-6, before the Dragons pulled out the last four matches, including a late takedown at 285 for a 3-2 decision and the match victory, 18-14. Drexel returns two of their five NCAA Qualifiers from a year ago in Garrett Hammond (157) and Stephen Loiseau (197).
Edinboro*
Saturday, Jan. 12 – 7 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 8-5 (5-1 EWL)
Of Note: The Broncs snapped Edinboro's 24-match EWL winning streak last Jan. 21. The Fighting Scots had been unbeaten against league foes since Feb. 22, 2013, when they fell to then-EWL member Pittsburgh. Matt Hill takes over as Head Coach for Tim Flynn, who departed to become Head Coach at West Virginia. Also departing Edinboro were five National Qualifiers – Ty Schoffstall to graduation and Billy Miller (Virginia Tech), Korbin Myers (Virginia Tech), Sean Russell (Minnesota) and Andrew Shomers (Oklahoma State) to transfer. A sixth starter, Dakota Geer, also transferred to Oklahoma State.
Iowa State
Thursday, Jan. 17 – 7 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 8-10 (3-6 Big 12)
Of Note: The Broncs defeated Iowa State, 22-15, last Nov. 26 in Ames, IA, to give Hangey his first dual victory as Rider Head Coach. The Cyclones will be buoyed by the addition of 2018 All-American Willie Miklus (197), who transferred in from Missouri. ISU also returns Jarrett Degen (149), who fell in the blood round at NCAA's last March.
Hofstra
Saturday, Jan. 26 – 12 p.m.
David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex - Hempstead, NY
2017-18 Record – 10-10 (4-4 EIWA)
Of Note: The Pride had one NCAA Qualifier a year ago, heavyweight Michael Hughes, who finished his collegiate career by finishing sixth to earn All-America honors. Though the Pride owns a 24-22 lead in the all-time series with Rider, the Broncs have won the last five duals against Hofstra.
George Mason*
Thursday, Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.
Recreation Athletic Complex – Fairfax, VA
2017-18 Record – 4-13 (0-6 EWL)
Of Note: The Broncs have dominated the all-time series with the Patriots, 15-1, including a 36-6 win last Jan. 13 in Lawrenceville. Mason sent three wrestlers to NCAA's last year and return two – Tejon Anthony (141) and Matthew Voss (285) – this season.
Clarion*
Saturday, Feb. 2 – 2 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 10-7 (4-2 EWL)
Of Note: Clarion handed Rider its lone loss in EWL competition last season, a heartbreaking 18-17 decision on the road. Leading 17-12 with only the heavyweight bout remaining, Toby Cahill pinned
Mauro Correnti to give the Golden Eagles the 18-17 victory. Clarion returns three NCAA Qualifiers in 2018 EWL Freshman of the Year Greg Bulsak (184), Taylor Ortz (149) and Brock Zacherl (141). The home team has won the last four duals between Rider and Clarion.
Lock Haven*
Friday, Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.
Thomas Fieldhouse – Lock Haven, PA
2017-18 Record – 12-4 (4-2 EWL)
Of Note: Chance Marsteller (165) dealt
Chad Walsh his only regular-season loss of last season before Walsh returned the favor at EWL Championships. Marsteller went on to earn All-America honors, finishing fourth at NCAA's. Lock Haven featured a National Runner-Up last season in Ronnie Perry (149), but he's since graduated. Lock Haven sent six wrestlers to NCAA's last season and return five – Marsteller, Kyle Shoop (141), Alex Klucker (157), Corey Hazel (184) and Thomas Haines (285). Though Lock Haven owns a 14-10 lead in the all-time series with Rider, the Broncs have taken the last eight duals, dating back to 2008-09.
Bloomsburg*
Sunday, Feb. 10 – 1 p.m.
Nelson Field House – Bloomsburg, PA
2017-18 Record – 6-9 (2-4 EWL)
Of Note: Rider owns a 12-6 edge in the all-time series with Bloomsburg, including wins in each of the last five duals. The Huskies' top returners are Trevor Allard (184, 3
rd at 2018 EWL's) and Kyle Murphy (174, 4
th at 2018 EWL's).
Minnesota
Thursday, Feb. 21 – 7 p.m.
TBA – Minneapolis, MN
2017-18 Record – 8-6 (4-4 Big 10)
Of Note: Minnesota visited Alumni Gym last season, taking a 32-12 victory to extend to a 2-0 lead in the all-time series. The only other meeting came in 1996-97. Familiar face Sean Russell, an All-American at Edinboro, has transferred to Minnesota for his final year of eligibility. Russell's addition allows the Gophers to bump up a series of 2018 National Qualifiers a weight class - All-American Ethan Lizak (125 to 133), Mitch McKee (133 to 141), Tommy Thorn (141 to 149) and Steve Bleise (149 to 157). Brandon Krone also returns after being an NCAA Qualifier at 184 last season.
Maryland
Sunday, Feb. 24 – 1 p.m.
Alumni Gym – Lawrenceville, NJ
2017-18 Record – 5-12 (0-9 Big 10)
Of Note: The Broncs have won three-straight against Maryland in the last three years to take a 6-5 lead in the all-time series. Included in the wins was a 23-20 decision in the dual season finale, giving legendary former Head Coach
Gary Taylor his 442
nd, and final victory. Maryland returns all three of its NCAA Qualifiers from a year ago – Ryan Diehl (141), Alfred Bannister (149) and Youssif Hemida (285).
EWL Championships (Hosted by George Mason)
Saturday, March 9 – 10 a.m.
EagleBank Arena - Fairfax, VA
NCAA Championships
Thursday-Saturday, March 21-23 – 11 a.m.
CONSOL Energy Center – Pittsburgh, PA
*EWL Duals
