The Rider and Princeton wrestling teams came in with questions as they took the mat in the season-opening Princeton Open on Sunday.

They left with some answers but still with some on-going battles and decisions to make.

Princeton entered the tournament with lots of lineup questions but also dealing with some injuries as three or four starters were sidelined. The Tigers will know more next weekend as they go on the road for three duals, facing the University of Pittsburgh Friday before taking on Appalachian State and West Virginia Sunday.

Last year’s 133-pounder Danny Jones is coming back from an injury which has left the the battle for the spot between Ethan Rivera and Drew Heethuis. Rivera finished sixth at the Princeton Open, and Heethuis – the starter at 125 pounds two years ago –took fourth but banged up his knee.

Princeton coach Joe Dubuque said Rivera may hold the edge at the moment, especially with the uncertainty of Heethuis’ knee, but its an ongoing competition.

Jacob Mann is cutting down to 141 where he could challenge Christopher Martino for the position. Tyler Vazquez, the starter two years ago at 141 before grey-shirting a year ago, is coming back from a knee injury and is not currently on the roster.

Freshman Gavin Hawk, a two-time state finalist at Phillipsburg, might have earned the 157 spot with a fourth-place finish at the Princeton Open.

“If he’s my starter against Pittsburgh, I’m good,” said Dubuque.

At 174, sophomore Xavier Giles could be pushed by Holden Garcia, who might go up a wei,ht with national qualifier Ty Whalen bumping up from 149 to 165.

Freshmen Conor McCloskey and Gabe Garibaldi are battling at 197 along with returning Anthony Moscatello to fill the spot Luke Stout held down the last four years.

Hanover Park multiple-time state finalist Vincenzo LaValle will take a greyshirt this year and will likely be at 184 down the round.

“We don’t win national titles in the beginning of November, but we take from those moments, get back in the lab, refine our craft and evolve,” said Dubuque. ”I want guys to take hold of a spot and then when you get hold of the spot, that doesn’t end it. It starts your journey. Then you’re working to become an All-American. The progress and vision, guys are buying in and grasping it. They’re doing it in the wrestling room and now we have to do it in competition, and they are.”

The Tigers also have a full coaching staff for one of the first times in Dubuque’s three years at the helm. They hired Ryan Wolfe away from Rider to join returning Cody Brewer and Anthony Ashnault.

“Now nobody think about leaving,” joked Dubuque.

Rider

Rider’s transfer additions stole the show at the Princeton Open – Eli Griffin (141 pounds), Dylan Layton (149) and Brendon Abdon (165) all took top three finishes in their weight classes. Griffin finished first despite being checked for a concussion in the opening minutes, Layton was second and Abdon third.

Griffin – a transfer from California Baptist who went 2-2 in his lone appearance at NCAAs two years ago – said he’s expecting to take the next step.

“One last ride,” said the senior. “I went 2-2 the last time, I was not content at all. I remember coming home and everybody saying you did so good. I didn’t even (become an All-American), that wasn’t even close to my goal. I’m not going to say I won’t be content if I don’t win a national title because that just sounds stupid, but that’s where my eyes are right now.”

Layton erased a big deficit to come back and win his semifinal, 13-10, before losing in the championship match.

“His alter ego came out, you need that Dr. Jekyll and Mr, Hyde, he has a motor and a half, he’s a tenacious son-of-a-gun,” RIder coach John Hangey of Layton’s semifinal comeback.

In addition to the transfers, Hangey said he was also impressed with national qualifier Brock Zurawski’s run to the finals at 197 and 157-pounder James Farina’s 3-2 performance.

The Broncs take on Illinois on Saturday night in the first of four matchups against Big Ten teams this year. They host Michigan State next Sunday and also welcome in Purdue and Rutgers this year,

Rider’s lineup battles are at 157 and 184 where they are replacing Colton Washleski and Isaac Dean, who transferred out of the program. Liam Scrivanich (157) and Quinn Collins (184) might have the early advantage.

Rutgers

Lenny Pinto (174) and Dylan Shawver (133) both dropped their matches at the season-opening NWCA All-Star Classic at Rutgers last Saturday night. Pinto jumped to a 6-1 lead against Cornell’s Simon Ruiz, but the Big Red sophomore stormed back with two second-period back points and a third-period takedown to win, 9-6. Shawver was deadlocked at 1 with national champion Lucas Byrd but was taken down in the third period and lost, 7-1,

Rutgers opened with a sweep of its quad match in which most of the wrestlers on its roster competed. The Scarlet Knights took down Centenary (44-0), Gardner-Webb (37-5) and Bloomsburg (38-2).

Overall, 22 wrestlers competed in at least one match in the opening quad. The Scarlet Knights’ lineup looks pretty solid with the exception of Anthony White and Conner Harer possibly battling it out at 157. There could also be some ongoing competition at 125, 149, 165 and 197 though figure Ayden Smith (125), Andy Clark (149), Andrew Barbosa (165) and Remy Cotton (197) to hold down those roles.

The Scarlet Knights face Navy at the Journeymen’s Wranglemania Event at Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pa. on Saturday with several wrestlers also competing in the Journeyman Collegiate Class at Freedom High School in Bethlehem on Sunday.

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