Rutgers wrestling: 5 things to watch for at the Garden State Grapple

Rutgers Michael Cetta (center), a 149-pound sophomore who wrestled at St. Joseph (Montvale), flips upside down during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers heavyweight Boone McDermott reacts as he describes how difficult it it to eat 10,000 calories a day during an interview at the Scarlet Knights’ media day availability, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers 184-pounder John Poznanski (center) during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers 184-pounder John Poznanski (top) works with volunteer assistant coach Kyle Kiss during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers Michael Cetta (center), a 149-pound sophomore who wrestled at St. Joseph (Montvale), works during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers Luke Gayer (left), a 165-pound freshman from California, runs with head coach Scott Goodale during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers freshman Brian Soldano, a state champion at High Point High School, is interviewed at the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Jeff Buxton (standing) a legend in New Jersey wrestling circles who was the head coach at Blair Academy, watches Rutgers wrestlers work during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J. Buxton was recently named head coach of the Scarlet Knight Wrestling Club.

Rutgers 133-pounder Nick Raimo (left) and Dean Peterson (125) work during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale speaks during a news conference to start the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Joe Heilmann, a 133-pounder from South Plainfield, is interviewed at the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers head coach Scott Goodale (center) works cardio with his team during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers 184-pounder John Poznanski is interviewed at the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Dean Peterson, a 125-pound sophomore who was a 2-time New Jersey state champion at St. John Vianney, runs during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers 184-pounder John Poznanski (left) has a smile with head coach Scott Goodale during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers heavyweight Boone McDermott is interviewed at the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Dean Peterson, a 125-pound sophomore who was a 2-time New Jersey state champion at St. John Vianney, runs during an open practice as part of the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale speaks during a news conference to start the Scarlet Knights’ media day activities, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J.

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The revival of a long-standing rivalry marks the next big test for Rutgers wrestling and one that could turn into one of the most-competitive matches of the season Sunday when the No. 19-ranked Scarlet Knights (3-1) take on No. 21 Penn (0-1) in the first of two duals at the Garden State Grapple.

Rutgers opens the dual-meet tournament with Penn at 2 p.m. before taking on Drexel (0-0) at 4.

For Rutgers, it’s an opportunity to notch its first win against a ranked opponent. Despite 31 previous meetings, the dual against Penn will be the first matchup between the two schools since 1996.

For Penn, it’s another opportunity to measure up against a foe from the Big Ten. Last week, the Quakers won three straight bouts and wrestled well across the board in a 26-11 loss to No. 2 Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. As Rutgers coach Scott Goodale noted, there’s plenty of “Jersey flavor” in the Penn lineup — with all three winners from the Iowa dual stemming from Blair or Bergen Catholic.

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So local recruiting could be at stake and plenty more as well. Here are five things to watch for Rutgers specifically at the Prudential Center in Newark. You can find the rest of the matchups and times here. All of the matches will be streamed on BTN+.

1. Big Ten vs. EIWA

It’s called the Garden State Grapple but consider it the Big Ten vs. EIWA challenge. On Sunday, four teams from the Big Ten will compete against four teams from the EIWA in the Garden State Grapple. The teams ranked in the NCWA Coaches Poll include No. 11 Wisconsin, No. 19 Rutgers and No. 21 Penn. The other five teams — Indiana, Michigan State, Princeton, Drexel and Binghamton — will take part in a two-round, dual-meet format. The matches are scheduled to be wrestled on four mats, starting at 2 and 4 p.m.

2. Who gets the start at 125 pounds?

On paper, it looks like three of the most important bouts will be wrestled right out of gate when Rutgers meets Penn. Expect three competitive matches that, as previously mentioned, should be familiar for New Jersey wrestling fans.

Rutgers has not solved its lineup battle at 125 between redshirt freshman Dean Peterson and sophomore Dylan Shawver. Whoever gets the call will face Ryan Miller, the first of two former Blair wrestlers in the Penn lineup. Shawver lost to Miller in sudden victory last season while Peterson defeated Miller to win the Beast of the East title when they were both high school wrestlers.

Could Goodale give the nod to Peterson against Penn and Shawver against Drexel? That’s a possibility.

3. No turducken this opportunity

It’s still early in the recovery process for Jackson Turley (174), who is working his way back from last year’s season-ending injury. The former All-American gets a chance to prove just how far along he is when he takes on Mickey O’Malley in the Drexel dual. O’Malley, a former state champion from Hasbrouck Heights, enters the match ranked No. 8 by Intermat. He became Drexel’s first-ever EIWA champion last season when he knocked off Penn’s Nick Incontrera in the final, who should be Turley’s other opponent Sunday.

4. Speaking of health

Keep an eye out for Rutgers’ 197-pounder Billy Janzer. After missing all of last season with a back injury, the former state champion from Delsea has been dealing with a knee injury. Janzer, a redshirt junior, has gotten off to a 1-2 start and said Tuesday before practice he will be good to go for Sunday’s action.

5. What’s next for Brian Soldano?

The freshman, who got off to a sensational start to his Rutgers career, can wrestle Sunday but that would be his fifth and final appearance of the season. That’s probably wasted ink, however, because it appears that the Rutgers 184-pounder is trending towards staying in the lineup while John Poznanski, a former All-American, takes a redshirt year. Soldano, who is ranked No. 12, would draw Maximus Hale from Penn and Brian Bonino, a former state-place winner from Paramus, when Rutgers takes on Drexel.

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Patrick Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com.

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