PISCATAWAY, NJ – Junior Greg Austin (Seaville, NJ) returned for his first match in two weeks and clinched a 19-14 Rutgers victory over intrastate rival Rider in intercollegiate wrestling action tonight at the CAG. Austin has been out of action since suffering a neck stinger during the Hitchcock Classic, January 5th. The win improved Austin’s season record to 15-5, and Rutgers’ dual meet record to 6-3. The win was Rutgers’ second in their last three meetings with Rider.

Rider’s Nick Harrington won by decision over Chris Ressa (Andover, NJ) to start the match and give the Broncs a quick, 4-0 lead. Sophomore Andy Roy (Wall, NJ) then started a Rutgers run of four straight victories with a 4-1 decision at 174. Rudy Medini (Colonia, NJ) won at 184 with a 7-1 decision. At 197, senior Ryan McGrath (Columbia, NJ) avenged a loss he suffered last year, by beating Greg Sawyer 8-2, at 197. McGrath won his ninth-straight match, improving to 18-4. Frank Sabatino (Hazlet, NJ) finished off the run with a 5-3 victory at 285.

Bobby Stinson, New Jersey’s all-time winningest wrestler, took 125 for Rider, with a 8-3 decision over Shaun Sehar (Harrisburg, PA) to cut the lead to 12-7. Andrew Tilles (Devon, PA) got Rutgers back on track with an 8-3 win over Jim DiCicco. Rider took two of the last three matches, but Austin’s win at 149 clinched a Rutgers victory.

“Getting Austin back was a big lift for us,” said head coach John Sacchi. “We knew we’d have a tough start at 165, but we have a lot of confidence in Andy Roy, Ryan McGrath and Frank Sabatino. The guy who really picked us up was Rudy Medini at 184 – his win gave us a huge boost.”

Rutgers returns to action on Wednesday, January 29, when it hosts University of Maryland for a dual meet at College Ave. Gymnasium. The match is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Rutgers 19, Rider 14
165-Nick Harrington (Rider) maj. Chris Ressa 8-0
174-Andy Roy (RU) dec. Bob Pizzuto 4-1
184-Rudy Medini (RU) dec. Mike Robinson 7-1
197-Ryan McGrath (RU) dec. Greg Sawyer 8-2
285-Frank Sabatino (RU) dec. Carmelo Marrero 5-3
125-Bobby Stinson (Rider) dec. Shaun Sehar 8-3
133-Andrew Tilles (RU) dec. Jim DiCicco 8-3
141-Jason Smith (Rider) dec. Jon Rodriguez 2-1
149-Greg Austin (RU) maj. Joe Pollard 10-2
157-Derek Jenkins (Rider) maj. Amir Khan 11-1