PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sophomore D.J. Russo (Netcong, N.J.) was named the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Wrestler of the Week, the group announced Monday.
The heavyweight earned the honor after pinning American's Quinton Pruett in the final bout of the match to clinch the victory for the Scarlet Knights. RU faced a four-point deficit heading into that final bout and Russo pinned Pruett in 3:06 to earn six points and propel Rutgers to a 19-17 victory over No. 21 American.
"D.J. has been doing great things for us all year and he came through again," said Rutgers head wrestling coach Scott Goodale. "It doesn't get any better than that when a heavyweight earns a pin to win the match."
It was Russo's ninth pin of the season as the redshirt sophomore improved his record to 24-11 overall and 14-6 in dual competition on the year.
The victory extended RU's school-record victory total to 19 as the Scarlet Knights improved to 19-5 on the season and 7-1 in the EIWA. Rutgers also handed American its first loss in the conference.
The Scarlet Knights will travel to Annapolis, Md. this Friday to face EIWA foe Navy at 7:00 p.m.
