Rutgers Wrestling Gears Up for Top-10 Clash with Minnesota at Jersey Mike’s Arena
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A high-stakes Big Ten showdown is on deck this Friday night as No. 17 Rutgers (10-5, 3-3 Big Ten) welcomes No.
6 Minnesota (9-4, 3-2 Big Ten) to Jersey Mike’s Arena. Set for a 7 p.m. start, the dual will stream live on Big Ten Plus, with Nick Kosko and Matt Howe on the call.
And make no mistake - this one has all the makings of a statement match.
The Scarlet Knights are riding momentum after a strong weekend that saw them post back-to-back wins. First came a dominant 30-9 home victory over Maryland, followed by a gritty 21-12 road win at Rider. That win marked Rutgers’ 11th straight in the in-state series and secured double-digit dual victories for the 17th time under head coach Scott Goodale - a testament to the program’s consistency and depth.
But Friday’s test? It’s a different beast.
Minnesota comes in red-hot, climbing to No. 6 in the NWCA Coaches Poll after knocking off then-No. 4 Iowa - a win that snapped a long drought against the Hawkeyes and sent shockwaves through the national rankings. The Golden Gophers are stacked, boasting nine nationally ranked wrestlers per Intermat, including 184-pounder Max McEnelly, last year’s NCAA bronze medalist and a force to be reckoned with.
This will be Rutgers’ third dual this season against a top-10 opponent, having already faced off against No. 1 Penn State and No.
10 NC State. It’s another chance to prove they can hang with - and beat - the nation’s elite.
Who to Watch: Projected Lineups Breakdown
Rutgers’ Key Contributors:
- 125 lbs - Ayden Smith (12-6): Ranked No. 28 by both Intermat and Flo, Smith has shown grit in tight matches and will be tested by Minnesota’s Jore Volk, a top-10 opponent.
- 133 lbs - Dylan Shawver (14-8): Ranked No. 27 (Intermat), Shawver has been a steady hand in the lineup and picked up a key win last weekend. He’ll be favored against a Minnesota squad still figuring out its starter at 133.
- 141 lbs - Joseph Olivieri isn’t listed in the projected lineup this week, but he remains Rutgers’ highest-ranked wrestler at No. 6. If he’s unavailable, Mason Gibson or Tahir Parkins could get the nod.
- 157 lbs - Anthony White (11-6): Ranked No. 29 by Intermat, White delivered a tech fall last weekend and continues to trend upward.
- 165 lbs - Andrew Barbosa (13-4) or Ryan Ford (14-3): Both have been effective, with Barbosa ranked No. 20. Ford, stepping up a weight class, earned a major decision last weekend.
- 184 lbs - Shane Cartagena-Walsh (18-5): Ranked No. 21, Cartagena-Walsh is coming off a pin and a bonus-point win.
He’ll face his toughest challenge yet in No. 4 Max McEnelly.
- 197 lbs - Remy Cotton (11-4) or PJ Casale (9-5): Cotton, ranked No. 16, scored a ranked major decision last week and is a key piece in Rutgers’ upper-weight push.
- HWT - Hunter Catka (15-6): Ranked No. 19, Catka brings power and experience to the mat and will square off against another top-10 foe in Koy Hopke.
Minnesota’s Heavy Hitters:
- 125 lbs - Jore Volk (17-3): Ranked No. 10 (Intermat), Volk is a technician on the mat and a tough matchup for anyone.
- 141 lbs - Vance VomBaur (15-4): No. 9 in the country, VomBaur brings speed and pressure from neutral. If he gets the start, he’ll be a handful for whoever Rutgers sends out.
- 157 lbs - Charlie Millard (15-5): Ranked No. 19, Millard is a consistent point-scorer and key to Minnesota’s middleweight strength.
- 165 lbs - Andrew Sparks (14-4): Ranked No. 11, Sparks is dangerous in scrambles and can turn matches in a flash.
- 184 lbs - Max McEnelly (14-1): One of the premier wrestlers in the country, McEnelly is a hammer on top and a serious threat to score bonus points.
- HWT - Koy Hopke (16-7): Ranked No. 10, Hopke brings size and athleticism, setting up a heavyweight clash with real implications.
Last Time Out: Scarlet Knights Finding Their Groove
Rutgers put together arguably its most complete performance of the season against Maryland, winning seven of ten bouts and closing with six straight victories. Bonus points were the story - five Scarlet Knights delivered them, including a major decision from Remy Cotton at 197 and a pin from Shane Cartagena-Walsh at 184. Andrew Barbosa and Anthony White both posted tech falls, while Ryan Ford, wrestling up a class, notched a major of his own at 174.
The following night at Rider, Rutgers kept the pressure on. Six wins, five of them in the final six matches, sealed the dual.
Bonus-point wins again came from Cartagena-Walsh and Barbosa, while Shawver, White, Ford, and Catka all added decisions. The victory extended Rutgers’ dominance over the Broncs and kept the B1G-MAC Trophy in Piscataway.
Rankings Recap
Rutgers sits at No. 17 in the NWCA Coaches Poll but is viewed even more favorably by some outlets - Intermat has them at No. 15, WIN Magazine at No. 16, and The Open Mat at No.
- Ten Scarlet Knights are ranked in at least one national poll, with all ten weight classes represented in Intermat’s rankings.
Here’s a quick look at Rutgers’ ranked wrestlers via Intermat:
- Joseph Olivieri (141) - No. 6
- Lenny Pinto (174) - No. 16
- Remy Cotton (197) - No. 16
- Hunter Catka (HWT) - No. 19
- Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184) - No. 21
- Andrew Barbosa (165) - No. 20
- Anthony White (157) - No. 29
- Andrew Clark (149) - No. 29
- Dylan Shawver (133) - No. 27
- Ayden Smith (125) - No. 28
Series History: Can Rutgers Break Through?
Minnesota holds a 7-0 all-time edge over Rutgers, with every meeting coming since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten. The Gophers took last year’s matchup 28-9 in Minneapolis, but Rutgers did get ranked wins from Dylan Shawver at 133 and Andrew Clark at 149.
This time, the Knights are at home, with momentum, and hungry for a breakthrough win.
What’s Next?
After Friday night’s marquee matchup, Rutgers hits the road again to face Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 13. That dual is set for 6:30 p.m. and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
But first - all eyes are on Jersey Mike’s Arena. A top-10 opponent is coming to town, and Rutgers has a chance to make a serious statement.