Rutgers Wrestling 2018-19 schedule sounds like a winner

When you are recognized as a major power, you can schedule pretty much any one you want. I’m going with that as the reason Rutgers will be wrestling the, arguably, most “storied” program in college wrestling.“

As he announced on the podcast The Scarlet Spotlight, Scott Goodale made known that the Oklahoma State Cowboys, winner of 34 national titles, will be visiting the RAC next season. The schedule has not been officially released by Rutgers, but the coach was pretty firm in his comments.

He also noted that, as it stands right now, Rutgers will open the home season against Fresno State, a team that recently restored wrestling at the school and which wrestles in a “hybrid” Big XII. The Knights will also host Princeton along with matches in the Big Ten.

Goodale also said RU will travel to North Carolina for matches against UNC and Duke, likely in the same weekend window.

The Cowboys finished the 2017-18 season at 13-2 and ranked No. 5 in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches final poll. They finished tied for 13th place (with Illinois) at this year’s NCAA Championships after winning their sixth consecutive Big XII Tournament. Four Cowboys made All American.

OSU last won the NCAA title in 2006, completing a span of four straight titles under legendary coach John Smith. They finished second to Penn State in 2013 and 2016.

Oklahoma State lost only to Iowa in Iowa City and to fellow Big XII member Missouri.

Rutgers finished 11th at the NCAA Championships, the best finish in school history, and with two All Americans. At 125 pounds, Nick Suriano became the first Scarlet Knight to reach the finals at the NCAAs.

The Knights were the fourth best team in the country this past season in average attendance, averaging over 4,600 per match and over 5,000 per match at the RAC.