LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University wrestling team released its 2023-24 schedule, which features a pair of B1G opponents traveling to Lawrenceville as well as continuing in-state rivalries with Princeton and Rutgers. The Broncs will host Michigan for their home opener on Nov. 19, before hosting the Badgers on Dec. 9.
"We will wrestle five Power 5 programs, four from the Big Ten conference this year highlighted by hosting Michigan and Wisconsin during the first semester." said Rider Head Coach John Hangey We will be tested this year with our schedule. Our guys will have the opportunity to wrestle some of the best kids in the country in order to be ready for our conference tournament and the NCAA's in March."
The Broncs start the year by traveling up 206 as they compete at the Princeton Open on Nov 5. Last year, 10 Broncs saw a spot on the podium with two winning their weight classes as Quinn Kinner and Ethan Laird both went 4-0 en route to taking the 149 lbs. and 197 lbs. titles.
Following the Princeton event, the Broncs open up duals, facing off with their first B1G opponent, Indiana, in Bloomington on Nov. 10. They'll then continue their trip of the Midwest with their first MAC dual vs Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Nov. 12.
Following the Midwestern trip, the Broncs come home to battle with Michigan for the first time since 1996 on Nov 19. The Broncs later head out to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Invitational on Dec. 1-2, before coming home for a pair of duals vs Wisconsin (Dec. 9) and Northern Illinois (Jan. 5).
Rider then faces off with the Jersey pairing of Rutgers and Princeton on Jan. 7 and 11, with the Tigers coming to Lawrenceville following last year's thriller in Jadwin Gym. The Princeton dual kicks off a four-match stretch at home with Edinboro (Jan. 14), Lock Haven (Jan. 26) and Bloomsburg (Jan. 28) all visiting Alumni Gym. The Broncs then go on the road to Drexel and George Mason on Feb. 2 and 4.
Following a Senior Day MAC dual with Clarion on Feb. 16, Rider ends the regular season with back-to-back road duals. The Broncs travel to ACC foe Pitt on Feb. 22, before wrapping up vs Cleveland State on Feb. 23.
MAC Championships are scheduled for March 8-9 at Kent State, before NCAA's take place in Kansas City, MO, March 21-23.