Roadrunners Competing in Prestigious NWCA National Duals
The RCSJ Gloucester Wrestling Team will be among a record 92 college teams participating in Mat Mayhem this coming weekend at the Kentucky Exposition Center at the NWCA's annual National Duals. The 2020 U.S. Marine Corps NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships take place January 10-11 with Louisville as the host for the second straight year.
Of the 92 teams, 65 are nationally ranked, including the top-ranked teams in five of the six Divisions. Of the 92 squads competing, 12 different schools will have both their men's and women's wrestling teams in action. Team and individual competition will take place throughout the tournament.
"This tournament will provide us with a lot of insight as to where we stand on a national and regional level," said Runners' head coach Dan Antonelli. "There are no easy matches here, and that's what we want as we look ahead to our conference and district championships."
Top Roadrunner wrestlers and records include:
Luke Souder, 125 pounds, 3-1
Nick DiGiacomo, 123 pounds
C.J. Mazzarelli, 133 pounds, 7-6
Mike Rubino, 141 pounds, 10-8
Atlee Cullison, 149 pounds, 9-3
Jared Carr, 157 pounds, 8-7
Dylan Fischer, 165 pounds, 14-0
Tyler Baer, 174 and 184 pounds, 14-2
Riley Onorato, 174 and 184 pounds, 11-4
Curtis Thomas, 197 pounds, 12-5
Matt Cruz, 285 pounds
Austin Mooney, 285 pounds
In the NJCAA bracket, five different programs have claimed championships through the years. Seven of the eight teams in this year's field have not won titles. Top-seeded Niagara Community College (N.Y.) will open up with Northland (Minn.). Niagara's top finish came in 2013 when they finished fourth. Second-seeded Harper (Ill.) has a strong tradition and has placed 13 times in the event, placing third on three different occasions. Harper will open with Minnesota West.
The Roadrunners will open with third-seeded Rochester (Minn.), which finished seventh in 2014. Fourth-seeded Nassau, the only school in the field with an NJCAA National Duals title, will open with Joliet Junior College, a school steeped in tradition which recently restarted its wrestling program. Nassau won the first two NJCAA National Duals titles in 2004 and 2005.
"This event is one of the premier wrestling events in the country on an annual basis so we are very proud to represent our region and the New Jersey," commented Roadrunner AD Brian Rowan. "Coach Antonelli and his coaching staff and the entire Roadrunner Athletics staff has worked really hard these past two years to get the program to this point where we are invited to top national events. It really means a lot of us to be back in the national spotlight in this sport where we have won six national championships."
Roadrunner wrestlers Jared Carr and Atlee Cullison are looking forward to the competition.
"We're working as a team and our chemistry is good -- we have a lot of good wrestlers in the lineup," said sophomore Jared Carr. "This is very big for us. These will be our first matches in awhile since the winter break, and we're going to see some great teams."
Sophomore 149-pounder Atlee Cullison is also hoping to perform well. The former Kingsway Regional standout returned to wrestling this winter following a lengthy layoff, and has adjusted quickly with a 9-3 overall record.
"It took awhile to get back in wrestling shape, and the speed and intensity at the college level has been amazing," he said. "These matches will be a huge test for us and will really prepare us for all of the tournament coming in February and March."
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Event Schedule:
January 10 - 11, 2020
Louisville, KY
Kentucky Exposition Center
Schedule web site (Click Here)
WHAT: 2020 U.S. Marine Corps NWCA Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships presented by ARMS Software and Defense Soap hosted by NUWAY
WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Kentucky
WHEN: January 10-11, 2020
WATCH: Trackwrestling.com (PPV)
All-session adult passes are available at the door for $45, while student tickets are $30. A weekend corner pass is also available for $55. Single day tickets are $25 for adults, $17 for students and $32 for a corner pass.