PISCATAWAY, N.J. – SKWC fans saw plenty of action from Rutgers wrestling during the holiday break, as several Scarlet Knights produced key wins at tournaments ahead of the new year.
Shawver’s Silver Highlights Action for Wrestling at Midlands
No. 26 Dylan Shawver (133) earned a runner-up finish to highlight action for Rutgers last weekend at the 2023 Ken Kraft Midlands Championships in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Shawver defeated back-to-back ranked foes to advance to the championship match at NOW Arena for his first Midlands’ silver medal.
Competing unattached, Luke Gayer (165) also placed at the tournament after a win in his seventh-place match. In total, six Scarlet Knights wrestled attached and three appeared unattached at Midlands, one of the top collegiate opens during the regular season.
As the No. 4 seed, Shawver worked four wins on the championship side of the bracket, which included ranked wins over No. 19 Julian Chlebove (Arizona State) and No. 31 Zeth Romney (Cal Poly). In his rematch with Romney from earlier this season, Shawver landed two takedowns in the first period en route to an 8-5 win to advance out of the semifinals. Shawver would lose to three-time NCAA qualifier Dylan Ragusin by 4-1 decision in the championship match to finish second.
Moore Earns Ranked Win, Individual Title at Lehigh’s Sheridan Tournament
No. 15 Mitch Moore (141) picked up a ranked win and an individual title at the 2023 Sheridan Tournament, hosted by Lehigh, to highlight action for Rutgers wrestling on December 22 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Moore went 4-0, which included a 12-4 major decision over No. 11 Malyke Hines (Lehigh) to secure the 141-pound championship. Moore landed three takedowns and a two-point near fall on Hines – a three-time NCAA qualifier – en route to his title. Moore outscored his opponents, 31-10, with seven takedowns in his four bouts, picking up to major decisions along the way.
Through the first two months of the season, Moore is a perfect 8-0 with five wins coming by bonus. A four-time NCAA qualifier, Moore owns 88 career varsity victories.
Brandan Chletsos (125) also placed for the Scarlet Knights, wrestling back to a third-place finish. In the consolation final, Chletsos landed a takedown and six near-fall points before he stuck Jackson Parker (Franklin & Marshall) in the first period for the win.
Peterson No. 2 at 125 Pounds
Heading into the heart of the dual season, Dean Peterson (125) is ranked as high as No. 2 in the country, according to The Open Mat. Peterson is 5-0 this season, which includes a 2-0 decision over then-No. 15 Eddie Ventresca in RU’s dual with Virginia Tech on November 17 at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
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