The Rider wrestling team has maintained its strong performance despite the offseason lost of three stalwarts.
Rider Head Coach John Hangey speaks with Gianni Maldonado of Rider during a 157lbs bout at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The Scarlet Knights might have posted the biggest win in the country when they stunned No.
6 Minnesota, 23-15, on Friday night for their first-ever win over one of the Big Ten bluebloods. But about 45 minutes down the road, Rider came up with a big win of its own on Friday, blasting Lock Haven 29-12, in a battle for the Mid-American Conference East Division title. The Broncs wrapped up the division title on Saturday by shutting out Bloomsburg, 42-0. Rider finished 6-0 in the division and is now 11-5 overall.“I think it speaks volumes for your consistency to the administration and commitment to the job you are doing when you have that type of success,” said Rider coach John Hangey. “It validates you as a program and a sport at a University. No victory is too small.” The championship was especially satisfying after NCAA qualifiers Isaac Dean, David Szuba and Colton Washleski transferred after last season asI give the kids a lot of credit,” said Hangey. “They stepped up themselves and weren’t going to let that hold us back. The new kids have been a part of the family since Day 1. If those kids in the program stuck with us, we were going to do it and if they didn’t we were still going to do it.” The win over Lock Haven continued a rivalry between the teams, who have become two of the MAC’s standard-bearers since joining the conference following the dissolution of the Eastern Wrestling League. Will Betancourt pinned St. John Vianney four-time state placewinner Patrick O’Keefe in sudden victory of a 1-1 match at 133. Griffin won by major decision in a ranked matchup against Wyatt Henson at 141 and Abdon added another victim to his hellacious headlock when he landed one down 6-3 at 165.“Lock Haven was wrestling very well, we controlled the wrestling and took it to them,” said Hangey. “We’re hoping to build on it and be able to duplicate it and elevate ourselves when we get to the conference championships.”Their 24-19 win over Columbia earlier in the season is looking even more impressive now after the Lions stunned Ivy League standard-bearer Cornell, 22-21, last weekend. Columbia even had arguably its best wrestler, Paramus graduate Aaron Ayzerov, in the lineup against Rider and not Cornell, while both Rider and Cornell had a favored wrestler injury default in the match. The Broncs have two more matches this year before heading to Buffalo for the MAC Championships. They face Drexel and Penn both on the road.Transfer’s sudden victory pin gives Rutgers wrestling historic upset a decade in the makingGreg Schiano tabs FCS head coach as Rutgers’ next DC, ending months-long search
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Super Bowl champion TE criticizes major college football coach's NIL commentsBenjamin Watson blasts Lincoln Riley over NIL comments involving the SEC. Read about the USC Trojans head coach's views on parity and the former NFL star's sharp response regarding football history.
Read more »
Top-10 Oregon Players With Highest NIL Valuation Signal A New EraThe upcoming 2026 college football season for the Oregon Ducks will be led by a familiar face in quarterback Dante Moore. Plus, he's surrounded by returnees who are expected to make a leap in production.
Read more »
LeBron James Leads Lakers to Victory Over Warriors Despite Key AbsencesLeBron James' stellar performance and a strong team effort propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a win against the Golden State Warriors, overcoming player injuries and a determined Warriors squad.
Read more »
Ollie Martin's Brave Olympic Debut Despite Broken ArmSeventeen-year-old Team USA snowboarder Ollie Martin finished fourth in the men's big air final at the Olympics despite competing with a broken arm sustained in training. The Colorado native's performance was remarkable, and he expressed satisfaction with his result. Kira Kimura of Japan won gold.
Read more »
Lindsey Vonn Aims for Olympic Glory Despite Knee InjuryAlpine skier Lindsey Vonn discusses her plans for the Milan Cortina Olympics following a recent knee injury, her comeback from retirement, and the challenges she faces in the downhill event. She hopes to compete in the downhill event and has won multiple medals in the past.
Read more »
UK leader's chief of staff quits over appointment of Mandelson as ambassador despite Epstein tiesBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has resigned over the controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as the U.K. ambassador to the U.S. Morgan McSweeney stepped down Sunday, saying the decision to appoint Mandelson in 2024 was “wrong.” He takes “full responsibility” for advising Starmer to make the appointment.
Read more »