We’re in the middle of a very frustrating and disappointing football season.

Our “go to” fall sport, women’s soccer, is doing well but is just 1-2-1 over the last two weeks.

Ahhh, fear not, Rutgers fans....wrestling is here!

Let’s start with Richie Lewis. After a good start to the 2016-17 season at the Battle at the Birthplace versus Princeton, Lewis’ season came to a sudden halt when he needed surgery.

That was then, this is now.

Over the weekend, Lewis won the 70 kg title at the U23 World Team Trials Sunday night in Rochester, Minnesota. The victory was that much more impressive as Lewis defeated 2017 All-American Tyler Berger (Nebraska), 2-0, in the best-of-three series.

BOOM! Richie Lewis defeats Tyler Berger, 7-1, and wins his 70kg final 2-0 to earn spot on U23 World team!#RUWR pic.twitter.com/oDgStj95GI — Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) October 8, 2017

The U23 World team will compete Nov. 21-26 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Redshirt freshman Alex Mackall also competed Sunday at 57kg, finishing his tournament with a 2-2 record.

Season ticket goal

It’s been five days since this was posted, so who knows where the number is today. But this is a significant achievement as is; it seems like a matter of time before it hits 2,000.

Best believe the RAC will be ROCKING this season, as we've just reached 1,900 season tickets sold for 2017-18!



️: https://t.co/Nh6iPvIYqF pic.twitter.com/1gKsXtvDK4 — Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) October 5, 2017

There had been a challenge from an anonymous donor to give $125 for every season ticket sold beyond 1,200. The money would go towards the “naming” of an assistant coach’s office in the new RWJBarnabas Health Performance Center in memory of wrestler Sam Cali.

Recruiting news

Nothing official, but it looks like Rutgers might be getting the No. 9 ranked scholastic wrestler at 120 pounds.

I’m very excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Rutgers University #GoScarletKnights #D1 pic.twitter.com/U4Nwi5jA9L — Nicolas Aguilar™ (@NicolasAguilar_) October 10, 2017

Besides the athlete’s tweet, it was also noted by @wrestlingnomad who was the one who noted Aguilar is ranked. Aguilar is from Gilroy, California.

Regional Training Center

The way to develop talent - besides in your room - is through outside wrestling. The way to build the sport and develop Olympic caliber wrestlers is through regional training centers. A year ago, Rutgers and Princeton joined forces - not a common practice in the sport - to create the New Jersey Regional Training Center.

And now it has a head coach.

Three-time World Team member Reece Humphrey has been named the head coach of the New Jersey RTC. https://t.co/hKOIGCALpj — FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) October 10, 2017

While both schools were running RTCs, it seemed logical to join forces to create a stronger and better program for New Jersey. Head cosach Scott Goodale spoke asbout in in a Team USA story last year:

“The people involved like Mike Novogratz and Rich Tavoso [Princeton supporters] are passionate about it. They want Princeton to do more and we want to do more. For us to join in, it means more Senior-level athletes for our wrestlers to train with and learn from. You are bringing their resources and our resources together. With Princeton just 20 minutes away makes it an even better fit. We are looking for the same thing,” said Goodale.

Humphrey is a two-time NCAA All-American for Ohio State. He finished second as a junior at the NCAA tournament in 2009 and has been competing on the international freestyle senior circuit. He’s been on the USA World Team three times. He starts his work with the NJRTC in April.

Again from Team USA’s story:

There are already some very talented wrestlers with international aspirations training at either Rutgers or Princeton. Former Wisconsin NCAA runner-up Tyler Graff enters his second year of elite training at Rutgers. He is joined in New Brunswick by New Jersey native and NCAA runner-up for Indiana Taylor Walsh, and Rutgers All-American Anthony Perrotti.

And once more for good measure....