Rutgers wrestling defeated Michigan State, 29-9, on Feb. 13 at Jenison Field House, securing a winning record in the Big Ten Conference for the second consecutive season under head coach Scott Goodale.
The victory is significant as it marks Rutgers’ fifth winning conference record since joining the Big Ten in the 2014-15 season. The team could finish as high as tied for third place in the conference depending on other results this weekend, which would be a first for the program.
The Scarlet Knights won eight out of ten matches against the Spartans. Notable performances included No. 16 Remy Cotton’s ranked win at 197 pounds over No. 23 Kael Wisley and bonus point victories from No. 17 Lenny Pinto (174), No. 19 Andrew Barbosa (165), and No. 29 Andrew Clark (149). Clark pinned Clayton Jones in the second period to give Rutgers a six-point swing, while Barbosa and Pinto delivered back-to-back wins by technical fall and major decision respectively.
Other highlights included Ayden Smith opening with a decision over Nick Corday at 125 pounds and Dylan Shawver following with a win at 133 pounds, though Rutgers was deducted a team point during Shawver’s bout due to loss of control of the mat after a clock malfunction. Anthony White secured an important decision at 157 pounds before intermission.
The dual concluded with Brandon Toranzo competing at heavyweight, where he lost to Josh Terrill by stall disqualification, but Rutgers still left East Lansing with a decisive victory.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will close its dual season with home and away matches against Princeton on Feb. 16 and Hofstra on Feb. 18.